Youth Knowledge and Practices towards Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia Pubblico

Abstract

Background: The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a lower middle income
country in the Western Pacific Region that suffers from a high burden of
noncommunicable diseases (NCD). Pohnpei state has a high prevalence of diabetes
among its adult population. NCDs such as Type 2 diabetes occur in children and appear
to have their origins in early life. Limited data is available on youth knowledge, attitudes
and practices regarding modifiable risk factors for NCDs in the FSM.
Objective: To identify gender differences among Pohnpeian youth ages 10-24 years in
knowledge and practices relating to two modifiable NCD risk factors, namely physical
inactivity and poor nutritional intake.
Methods: A seven-page survey consisting of 19 NCD risk factor questions was pilot
tested and conducted among a convenience sample over the course of five weeks. Data
were analyzed using SAS statistical software version 9.2.
Results: High proportions of both males and females practiced traditional physical
activity, physical activity in their leisure time, and participated in at least one school
sponsored physical activity in the previous school year. However, the percentages of
daily vigorous physical activity, a component of total daily physical activity, were low
for both males and females. Low proportions of males and females reported daily intakes
of fruits and vegetables with significantly less females reporting daily vegetable intake
than males. A majority of youth attained their knowledge of physical activity and health
practices from school.
Discussion: Two studies in the last decade reported on youth health behaviors in
Pohnpei. This study contributes to the literature by providing knowledge on youth
practices, including various types of physical activity, towards two NCD risk factors with
a focus on gender. No significant gender differences were found in leisure time and
school-sponsored physical activity practices. Significantly more males than females
practiced traditional physical activity. Female health practices put females at increased
risk for NCDs more so than males since significantly fewer females consumed vegetables
daily than males and, although not significant, fewer females met vigorous physical
activity recommendations than males. Results suggest that a majority of youth are
physically inactive and have poor nutritional intakes.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. i
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................ ii
Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1
Overview ......................................................................................................................... 1
Research Question ........................................................................................................... 4
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................. 6
The Federated States of Micronesia ................................................................................ 6
Noncommunicable Diseases ......................................................................................... 10
Physical Activity ........................................................................................................... 21
Nutrition ........................................................................................................................ 25
Chapter 3: Research Methodology.................................................................................... 29
Study Background ......................................................................................................... 29
Population...................................................................................................................... 30
Research Design ............................................................................................................ 32
Survey Development ..................................................................................................... 33
Research Procedure ....................................................................................................... 36
Data Management ......................................................................................................... 38
Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 39
Chapter 4: Results ............................................................................................................. 41
Demographic Characteristics ........................................................................................ 41
Youth Physical Activity Practices ................................................................................. 43
Youth Physical Activity Knowledge ............................................................................. 46
Youth Nutritional Intake ............................................................................................... 48
Other Findings ............................................................................................................... 50
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................ 54
Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 54
Limitations .................................................................................................................... 57
Conclusions ................................................................................................................... 58
Recommendations ......................................................................................................... 61
References ......................................................................................................................... 63
Appendix I-Survey Tool................................................................................................. 66

Appendix II-Survey Information and Verbal Consent ................................................... 73
Appendix III-Variables from Survey ............................................................................. 74
Appendix IV-Chapter 4 Results Tables ......................................................................... 77
Appendix V-Additional Data Analysis: Food Frequency Question............................... 83
Appendix VI-Terminology ........................................................................................... 100

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Parola chiave	Anupama Mathur
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Cunningham, Solveig, Emory
Committee Members	Englberger, Lois, Island Food Community of Pohnpei
Partnering Agencies	Community-based non-profit organization (e.g., AID Atlanta)

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