A Proposed Intervention Strategy to Reduce and Prevent the Increase of Obesity in the Galápagos Islands-Ecuador

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  • September 25, 2019
Creator
  • Ocampo, Maria Belen
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Nutrition
Abstract
  • Introduction: Overweight and obesity are health conditions characterized by excessive accumulation of fat as a result of an imbalance between energy intake and expense. The current health and nutrition situation in Ecuador reflects the epidemiologic and nutritional transition characteristic of middle-income countries, which consists on a rapid increase in the incidence of overweight and obesity, while cases of under nutrition still exist. Because of specific characteristics of this territory, the prevalence of obesity and overweight is higher than in any other region of the country. Methods: A literature review, visit to the island and application of NEMCS-CS questionnaire allowed for a better qualification of the current food and nutrition situation in the islands, and to guide the development of a public health intervention. Results: Corner stores showed a low availability of natural foods, and higher stock of ultra-processed foods; weekly farmer’s market has higher offer of natural foods, but individuals find both the schedule and the prices to be inconvenient; CIBV public nurseries provide meals for children and carry out twice-yearly nutrition evaluation, however there is no technical nutritional guidance; The built environment in the island is conducive to physical activity, however people do not use these spaces. Development of a multicomponent intervention including a campaign to raise awareness of the nutritional situation in the islands, implementation of a neighborhood stores initiatives to increase availability of fresh produce, and the use of telemedicine to provide nutritional counseling, accompanied by periodic visits of nutrition professionals to the islands. Limitations: The length of the visit to the islands and the small sample of interviews collected allowed for important information on lifestyle to be gathered, it would be necessary to go back and collect even more information from other sources to make sure the proposed intervention will be successful.
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  • In Copyright
Advisor
  • Bentley, Margaret
Degree
  • Master of Public Health
Academic concentration
  • Public Health Nutrition
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduation year
  • 2017
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  • b4776b04-fcd8-48c6-831a-897e635b1ff3

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