Body Mass Index, Physical Activity, Nutritional Habits, and Perceived Body Image Among Pacific Islanders in the Federated States of Micronesia

太平洋島居民的體質指數、身體活動、營養攝取及身體形象

Abstract

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.

The purpose of the study was to examine the physical activity levels, nutrition, and body image of participants from Yap Proper and the outer islands. A mixed methods design was utilized. Participants included 29 adults enrolled in an undergraduate Education degree program from two separate summer school classes: 19 adults from an Introductory Health and Wellness class and 12 adults from a PE Methods: Elementary class for classroom teachers. Three higher-order themes resulted from the analysis: Cultural Values, Body Image, and Westernization. Results from the nutrition logs indicated that participants preferred local grown foods and also consumed western imported foods available on the island. Daily step counts of participants ranged from a low of 190 steps on day one to a high of 12, 375 on day 28. By day 28, participants were walking between 3-6 miles per day. Additional exercise outside of walking was not performed by participants. The mean of Pre-BMI data were 31.91 and the mean for Post-BMI data were 31.97. Participants stated that they felt that their bodies were fat and that they were satisfied with that image. Participants also indicated that a higher importance in their culture was placed on obesity and that an obese body was associated with beauty and prosperity. Findings suggest that cultural beliefs contribute to obesity rates by affecting the type of physical activity that is performed due to gender-specific roles. Lack of access to a variety of nutritious foods also affects nutrition habits.

本文旨在探討太平洋島居民的體質指數、身體活動、營養攝取及身體形象。結果顯示文化因素是影響身體肥胖的原因。