Discrepancy between Actual and Perceived Weight Status in Rural Patients: Variations by Race and Gender

Abstract Objective African Americans adolescents have disproportionately high rates of obesity compared to their Caucasian peers. Little is known about the rates of obesity among adolescents of African descent in countries with diverse populations. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and weight-related behaviors among adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago and to explore differences by race and gender. Methods In this cross-sectional study, students from a national stratified sample of high schools (n = 42) in Trinidad and Tobago completed a self-administered survey regarding their health habits. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured height (via a portable stadiometer) and weight (via a digital scale), and BMI percentiles determined using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts. Univariate calculations and χ2 analyses were performed to determine obesity prevalence and explore associations between obesity and self-reported demographic factors and weight-related behaviors. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test mean difference in weight status and multivariate analyses explored the role of gender and race after adjusting for covariates. Results Of the 3618 adolescents in the study, 56.3% were female. Race: 31.9% Black-Trinidadian, 33.7% Indo-Trinidadian and 33.4% Mixed-Race. Mean age was 17.6 years. The overall prevalence of obesity was 7%, but this differed by race (Black-Trinidadians 17%, Mixed-Trinidadians 2%, Indo-Trinidadians 1%). Black-Trinidadian girls were most likely to be obese (28.1%) and to engage in obesity related habits than their peers. Conclusion Black-Trinidadian girls have a significantly higher prevalence of obesity than their peers. Further work should explore culturally tailored interventions to address obesity prevention and treatment in this group.

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Referral Patterns for Youths Identified at Risk for Suicide by Trained Gatekeepers

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000114 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 113-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Michael S. Rodi ◽

Lucas Godoy Garraza ◽

Christine Walrath ◽

Robert L. Stephens ◽

D. Susanne Condron ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Suicide Prevention ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

Service Access ◽

Referral Patterns ◽

Race And Gender ◽

Lee Smith ◽

Prevention Behavior ◽

Key Variables ◽

And Gender ◽

To Receive

Background: In order to better understand the posttraining suicide prevention behavior of gatekeeper trainees, the present article examines the referral and service receipt patterns among gatekeeper-identified youths. Methods: Data for this study were drawn from 26 Garrett Lee Smith grantees funded between October 2005 and October 2009 who submitted data about the number, characteristics, and service access of identified youths. Results: The demographic characteristics of identified youths are not related to referral type or receipt. Furthermore, referral setting does not seem to be predictive of the type of referral. Demographic as well as other (nonrisk) characteristics of the youths are not key variables in determining identification or service receipt. Limitations: These data are not necessarily representative of all youths identified by gatekeepers represented in the dataset. The prevalence of risk among all members of the communities from which these data are drawn is unknown. Furthermore, these data likely disproportionately represent gatekeepers associated with systems that effectively track gatekeepers and youths. Conclusions: Gatekeepers appear to be identifying youth across settings, and those youths are being referred for services without regard for race and gender or the settings in which they are identified. Furthermore, youths that may be at highest risk may be more likely to receive those services.

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