RESEARCH & INNOVATION
M ost questionnaire respondents were between 21 and 39 years of age, in long-term relationships, employed, and in the lower socio-economic bracket. Of the 270 women surveyed, 98.7 percent confirmed they used SSBs, with an average of 1.65 bottles being consumed per person per day, which was defined as high- frequency use. Dr. Harewood- Marshall found that some 45.5 percent of those surveyed reduced their SSB intake after becoming pregnant, without any intervention. However, 37.4 percent made no change, 15.3 percent consumed more, and 1.84 percent stopped using them completely.
that the rate of childhood obesity in Caribbean countries ranged from almost 19 percent in Antigua to 39.5 percent in The Bahamas. She informed the symposium that a study conducted internationally had found a link between higher consumption of SSBs in the second trimester of women’s pregnancy and higher risk of mid-childhood (4-6 years) obesity. In her survey of 270 women who accessed care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s (QEH’s) antenatal clinics, she investigated maternal knowledge and attitudes towards the use of SSBs to determine the prevalence and frequency of use by antenatal
The researcher noted this may be a barrier to behavioural change and interventions: “Omitting discussions on weight and diet for prenatal and antenatal patients may reinforce patients’ misperceptions about their health and potential risk for NCDs [non-communicable diseases] evidenced by the many respondents who thought their weights were normal although they were obese,” Dr. Harewood-Marshall said. During the day-long symposium, a research showcase event that formed part of a week of activities to celebrate the contributions of Professor Sir Errol Walrond to medicine and the wider community, several other scientific papers were presented by medical and paramedical personnel from the QEH and allied institutions. The topics included “The Influenza Vaccine in Pregnancy in Barbados: A Cross- Sectional Study” , “Prevalence of Burnout Among Primary Care Physicians in Barbados” , “The Prevalence of Postpartum Depression and Associated Risk Factors in Barbadian Women: A Cross-Sectional Study” , and “Coping while Caring: The Quality of Life of Parents of Children Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Trinidad” . The guest speaker was Consultant Ophthalmologist at the QEH Dr. Nigel Barker who provided key insight into his specialised area of eye care and the challenges he faced and overcame in setting up a local practice, in the hope that his testimony could assist others. l
patients. She also sought to determine if there was a
relationship between frequency of SSB use and maternal gestational weight gain, frequent maternal SSB use and neonatal birth weight and body mass index score.
She concluded,
“Despite a high prevalence of obesity, respondents had very positive perception of their weight and health. Cultural beliefs that favour overweight and obesity may heavily influence patients’ perception of themselves and affect their understanding of their health risks.”
CHILL NEWS 63
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