O-65 The Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the Under-Five Population in a Regional Health Authority in Trinidad and Tobago.

Methods: The study population for this project was those under-five years of age. The sample size was obtained through random sampling technique. From thirty-two health centres in the south-west region, twenty health centres were sampled and fifteen patient case files were randomly selected and analysed from each, totalling three hundred case files. Anthropometric data recorded for all patient visits to the health centre up to the time of data collection wERE documented. BMI and BMI z-scores were calculated and classified based on the WHO BMI-for-age growth charts. SPSS was utilized to analyse the data.

Results: 63.7% of the three hundred participants were normal, 7.3% obese, 10.3% overweight, 12% at risk of becoming overweight and 6.7% wasting. For those overweight and obese, the average age of detection of overweight was 9.42 months (SD: 7.22), ranging 2-36 months with a modal age of detection being 6 months. 25% of overweight cases occurred by 4.25 months, 50% by 6 months, and 75% by 12 months. The average age of detection of obesity was 12.86 months (SD:11.56), ranging 1 to 48 months with a modal age of detection being 12 months. 25% of obesity cases occurred by 5.5 months, 50% by 10.5 months, and 75% by 18 months. A statistically significant association between BMI and health centres attended was detected. No statistically significant association between BMI and gender was detected.

Conclusion: This study highlights the high proportion of overweight and obesity among Trinidad and Tobago’s under-five population, with many cases detected in infancy. These findings emphasize the importance of targeting the under-five population, particularly through early intervention strategies, education on proper nutrition and balanced efforts to manage overnutrition.