KEY FINDINGS Obesity Prevention Public Opinion Survey, Jamaica

Transcription

1 KEY FINDINGS Obesity Prevention Public Opinion Survey, Jamaica OVERVIEW A new public opinion survey conducted by the Heart Foundation of Jamaica and Vital Strategies, found that Jamaicans are concerned about chronic diseases, particularly diabetes and childhood obesity. This survey sought to understand the public s opinions on health priorities in Jamaica, including their knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to unhealthy diets and their willingness to support policies to address the growing obesity epidemic. According to the World Health Organization, 78% of all deaths (nearly 4 in 5) in Jamaica are caused by Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) 1. The Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey (2008) found that 51.7% of Jamaicans were overweight/obese 2. Recent findings from Global School Health Survey (2017) show that obesity is increasing for both boys and girls (13-15), almost doubling for boys 3. METHODOLOGY DETAILS: A nationally representative household survey was conducted by Hope Caribbean in November 2017 with 1430 adults ages years. The study used a stratified multistage sampling approach to identify households. For the purposes of this poll, within each household, the last birthday method was used to identify a single respondent among multiple eligible respondents. KEY FINDINGS: Strong public support for government action on obesity including support for sugary drinks tax Nine in ten Jamaicans agree that it is important that the Government be involved in helping to solve the problem of obesity in the country (92%) and that they take quick action to implement policies to do so (90%). Over two-thirds (72%) would also support Government action to pass and enforce polices that discourage consumption of sugary drinks and unhealthy foods i. Approximately two-thirds (64%) support a tax on sugary drinks. This public support increases to 78% of adults in support of the sugary drinks tax if part of the revenue generated was spent in reducing obesity among children. Jamaicans very concerned about the health effects of sugary drinks Almost 80% of Jamaican parents (of children under 16) are concerned about the effects of sugary drinks on their children s health. More than 60% of Jamaican adults are concerned about the effects of sugary drinks on their own health. 61% of parents are either very concerned or extremely concerned about their child s access to sugary drinks at school.

2 Obesity-related diseases such as hypertension and diabetes and cancer are the top health concerns for Jamaicans. Hypertension (89%), diabetes (86%) and cancer (84%), were the three illnesses most often identified as major health problems in Jamaica. Consumption of sugary drinks 51% of children who consume sugary drinks multiple times daily, consume 3-5 servings ii or more at least once a day. REFERENCES: 1. World Health Organization. (2017). Regional Mortality Estimates Retrieved from index1.html 2. Ministry of Health. (2008). Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey. Retrieved from Survey pdf 3. National Council on Drug Abuse. (2017). Global School-Based Student Health Survey. i Unhealthy foods in this research are categorized as non-essential foods that are high in sugar, salt and fats such as ice-creams, chips, burgers, fried chicken. ii One serving in this report represents an average bottle or carton.

3 Topline Report Obesity Prevention Public Opinion Survey, Jamaica Conducted by: Hope Caribbean Co. Ltd, Jamaica, W.I December

4 Introduction Background Obesity is a risk factor for the development of chronic or non-communicable diseases and is a public health concern in Jamaica. The Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey (2008) found that 51.7% of Jamaicans were overweight/obese. Recent findings from Global School Health Survey (2017) show that obesity is increasing for both boys and girls (13-15), almost doubling for boys. According to the World Health Organization, 78% of all deaths (nearly 4 in 5) in Jamaica are caused by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Study Objectives The purpose of this public opinion survey was to measure: Public opinion on health priorities in Jamaica Public knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to diets, including food and drinks Public support or opposition on government actions intended to address obesity in Jamaica 2

5 Methodology Overview What: A household-based survey using a nationally representative sample with quota controls for age, gender, socio-economic groups and urban/ rural location; Who: Survey conducted among a sample of adults in Jamaica, years; Respondents were recruited using a stratified multistage sampling approach; Sampling Method and Size : The sample design utilized a stratified multistage sampling approach, similar to the method used in the design in the Cost Of Living Survey conducted by STATINJA. For the purposes of this poll, within each household, the last birthday method was used to identify a single respondent among multiple eligible respondents. A total of 1430 were successfully completed at the final date for completion. Data was collected in face-to-face interviews conducted in English using a structured questionnaire administered by trained interviewers. Questionnaires were not translated. Interviewers were approximately on average an hour in length. Data was collected October November,

6 Topline Results 4

7 Concerns Over Health Impact of Sugary Drinks 5

8 Sugary drinks consumption if high among children in Jamaica. 51% of children who drink sugary drinks multiple times daily, consume 3-5 servings or more at least once a day. Chart 6a: Frequency of Sugary Drinks Consumption by Children Chart 6b: Number of Servings of Sugary Drinks Had Per day 26% (N = 661) 43% (n= 171) 20% 37% 17% 15% 16% 6% 12% 8% Multiple times a day About once a day A few times a week Once a week Rarely (less than once a week) Never Q24. How often do your children normally consume soda or other bottled sugary drinks (such as Boing, Coca Cola, industrialized juices or similar)? One Two Three-five More than five a day Q25. In a previous question you said that your child drinks sugary drinks multiple times a day. How many servings (each serving being an average bottle or carton) do they drink in a day? 6

9 63% of adults are very concerned about the effect of sugary drinks on their health. 79% of parents are very concerned about its effect on their children s health. Chart 10a: Concern About Effects of Sugary Drinks on Own Health (N = 1430) 9% 16% 12% 38% 25% Not at all concerned Somewhat concerned Moderately concerned Very concerned Extremely concerned Q31. How concerned are you about the effect of drinking sugary drinks on your health? Chart 10b: Concern About Effects of Sugary Drinks on Child s Health (N = 661) 6% 8% 8% 45% 34% Not at all concerned Somewhat concerned Moderately concerned Very concerned Extremely concerned Q32. How concerned are you about the effect of drinking sugary drinks on your CHILDREN S health? 7

10 61% of parents are very or extremely concerned about their children s access to sugary drinks in their school. Not at all concerned Somewhat concerned Moderately concerned Very concerned Extremely concerned (N = 538) 13% 14% 12% 40% 21% Q29. How concerned, if at all, are you about your child s (children s) access to sugary drinks in their school? 8

11 Knowledge And Attitudes: Support For Policies And Govt. Action 9

12 The majority of adults support government action to address the problem of obesity. 93% support efforts to increase children s access to healthy diets. 2% 3% 2% 4% 2% 3% 3% 4% (N = 1430) 37% 37% 34% 55% 53% 59% It is important for my government to be involved in helping to solve the problem of obesity in my country My government must act quickly to implement policies to address the problem of obesity in my country Strongly Agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree I intend to support government efforts to increase children s access to healthy foods and drinks Q45. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? 10

13 72% of adults support government action to pass and enforce polices that discourage consumption of sugary drinks and unhealthy foods (N = 1430) 6% 13% 9% 36% 36% The government should pass and enforce policies that discourage drinking sugary drinks and eating non-essential FOODS that are high in sugar, salt and fats such as ice-creams, chips, burgers, fried chicken Strongly Agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree Q45. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? 11

14 64% of adults support a tax on sugary drinks. 78% of adults support the sugary drinks tax if part of the revenue generated was spent in reducing obesity among children. (N = 1430) Q46 Introduction of Tax on Sugary Drinks 21% 10% 5% 22% 42% Q47 Use taxes collected to help reduce obesity, especially among children 12% 6% 4% 22% 56% Disagree strongly Disagree somewhat Neither agree nor disagree Agree somewhat Agree strongly Q46. The government of Jamaica is considering a proposal to implement a tax on sugary drinks as part of an effort to reduce obesity in the country. Would you agree with or disagree with this proposal? Please tell me in terms of: Q47. If the proposal to tax sugary drinks included spending some of the revenue from the tax on programs to reduce obesity, especially among children, would you agree with or disagree with the proposal to tax sugary drinks. 12

15 Knowledge And Attitudes: Obesity 13

16 Hypertension, Diabetes and Cancer were most often identified as major health problems in Jamaica. Diabetes 1% 5% 6% 22% 64% 2% Cancer 1% 5% 7% 22% 62% 3% Hypertension or high bloood pressure 1% 5% 5% 25% 64% Heart disease, including heart attacks 2% 11% 13% 23% 46% 5% Malaria 27% 19% 12% 11% 16% 15% Under-nutrition 12% 16% 12% 19% 37% 4% Overweight or obesity among children 4% 13% 14% 23% 43% 3% Overweight or obesity among adults 2% 10% 11% 24% 51% 2% Dental Problems 3% 13% 14% 24% 43% 3% Asthma 3% 14% 16% 21% 42% 4% Not at all Somewhat a problem Moderate Very much A lot Don t know Q49. In your opinion, how much of a problem, if at all, are the following in Jamaica? (N=1430) 14

17 Appendix 1: Sample Characteristics GENDER (N=1430) % Male 48.3 Female 51.7 AGE GROUP 18-24yrs yrs yrs yrs yrs yrs yrs 7.6 SOCIO-ECONOMIC LEVEL Upper Class (ABC1) 15.9 Working Class (C2) 25.9 Lower Income (DE) 58.2 LOCATION Parish Capital/Main Town 23.4 *No weightings were applied to data collected. Other Urban 26.9 Rural