Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Education and Promotion

Advisor

Linnaya M. Graf

Abstract

AbstractAn increase of metabolic risk factors is a public health threat to the well-being of the population of Tobago; this increase is poorly documented and understood. According to a review of evidence-based research, studies linked metabolic risk factors to the high prevalence of obesity. However, there was a gap specific to the Tobagonian population. This cross-sectional quantitative study assessed the evidence of metabolic risk factors to determine whether obesity measures correlated with metabolic risk factors among a sample from Tobago. Guided by the social-ecological theory, a self-reported survey was used to collect primary data from 270 participants during a workplace wellness and health-screening initiative. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and binary logistic regression analysis were used to analyze data. A 43.6% overall prevalence of abnormal obesity measures was found for various metabolic risk factors. The results showed that the prevalence of obesity correlated with diabetes (64.4%) and hypertension risk factors (51.4%). These findings also highlighted a significance for gender specifics in which waist circumference and body mass index had a small effect on blood pressure range ≥ 130/85 mmHg. Despite acknowledged limitations for results, the findings from the current study contribute to positive social changes by adding to the limited resources available on the prevalence of metabolic risk factors with abnormal obesity measures among the Tobagonian population. Implications outline the need for future research and explain how public health practitioners and policymakers can use a holistic approach to channel resources into health awareness and prevention initiatives.

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