Rapid increases in obesity in Jamaica, compared to Nigeria and the United States
2008

Obesity Trends in Jamaica Compared to Nigeria and the US

Sample size: 3460 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Durazo-Arvizu Ramón A, Luke Amy, Cooper Richard S, Cao Guichan, Dugas Lara, Adeyemo Adebowale, Boyne Michael, Forrester Terrence

Primary Institution: Loyola University Medical School

Hypothesis

How do weight change rates compare across Jamaica, Nigeria, and the United States?

Conclusion

Jamaica shows a greater rate of weight gain compared to Nigeria and the US, likely due to cultural and behavioral shifts.

Supporting Evidence

  • Weight gain rates were significantly different across country, sex, and baseline BMI.
  • Women in Nigeria and the US had higher weight gains than men, while the opposite was true for Jamaica.
  • Obese individuals experienced weight loss across all three countries.

Takeaway

People in Jamaica are gaining weight faster than those in Nigeria and the US, which might be because of changes in lifestyle and culture.

Methodology

Population samples from Nigeria, Jamaica, and the US were analyzed using multi-level regression models to estimate weight change over time.

Potential Biases

Participants who agreed to take part may differ in weight trajectory from other segments of the population.

Limitations

The study may not represent the entire population, and there were no comparable measures of physical activity or nutrition.

Participant Demographics

Participants included adults over 19 years from Nigeria, Jamaica, and the US, with varying participation rates.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2458-8-133

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