Nutrition behaviors and sociodemographic factors associated with overweight in the multi-ethnic adolescents of New Caledonia

Type Journal Article - Ethnicity & health
Title Nutrition behaviors and sociodemographic factors associated with overweight in the multi-ethnic adolescents of New Caledonia
Author(s)
Volume 24
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2019
Page numbers 194-210
Publisher Taylor & Francis
URL https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13557858.2017.1315530
Abstract
Objectives: New Caledonia is a multi-ethnic French territory in the Pacific, characterized by communities with widely varying nutritional habits. Little is currently known about adolescent food behaviors and habits and their association with overweight. This study therefore determined the sociodemographic factors and food behaviors associated with overweight and underweight in this population, as well as the factors associated with skipping breakfast.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among New Caledonian adolescents using a self-administered questionnaire; anthropometric measurements were also taken. Weight status was determined using international cutoffs, and the factors associated with overweight and underweight were identified with multiple logistic regression analysis. The factors associated with breakfast skipping were also determined.
Results: Skipping breakfast, being Melanesian, living in a rural area and having low economic status were positively associated with overweight in these adolescents. Skipping breakfast was relatively infrequent, reported by 18% and 13% of the males and females, respectively. Logistic regression models found that the main factors associated with breakfast consumption habits were gender, weight status and ethnicity.
Conclusions: Several factors are associated with overweight status in New Caledonian adolescents. Breakfast education should be improved for adolescents living in rural areas and from low socioeconomic status.