M K Gebremariam1,2, R A Nianogo1, O A Arah1,3,4. 1. Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA. 2. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. 3. UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 4. California Center for Population Research, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Existing evidence suggests that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among prisoners in different settings is high. Evaluating weight change during incarceration would allow for the investigation of whether the prison environment indeed contributes to unfavourable weight changes. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to do a systematic review and a meta-analysis of existing evidence regarding weight change during incarceration. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a systematic literature search by using five different online databases and included grey literature. A total of 16 studies, all conducted in developed countries, were identified. Weight change was computed in 11 of these studies and was self-reported in five studies. Only two studies included youth. In all but 1 of the 11 studies using actual assessment of weight change, there was an increase in body weight or body mass index on average or weight gain occurred among a significant proportion of participants. A meta-analysis of eight of these studies showed an average weight gain of 0.43 (95% CI 0.14, 0.72) lb/week. In all studies including perceived weight change, a high proportion (43% to 73%) of participants reported weight gain during incarceration. CONCLUSION: Health promotion activities within prisons should incorporate initiatives aimed at combating unhealthy weight developments.
BACKGROUND: Existing evidence suggests that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among prisoners in different settings is high. Evaluating weight change during incarceration would allow for the investigation of whether the prison environment indeed contributes to unfavourable weight changes. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to do a systematic review and a meta-analysis of existing evidence regarding weight change during incarceration. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a systematic literature search by using five different online databases and included grey literature. A total of 16 studies, all conducted in developed countries, were identified. Weight change was computed in 11 of these studies and was self-reported in five studies. Only two studies included youth. In all but 1 of the 11 studies using actual assessment of weight change, there was an increase in body weight or body mass index on average or weight gain occurred among a significant proportion of participants. A meta-analysis of eight of these studies showed an average weight gain of 0.43 (95% CI 0.14, 0.72) lb/week. In all studies including perceived weight change, a high proportion (43% to 73%) of participants reported weight gain during incarceration. CONCLUSION: Health promotion activities within prisons should incorporate initiatives aimed at combating unhealthy weight developments.
Authors: Constantin Bondolfi; Patrick Taffe; Aurélie Augsburger; Cécile Jaques; Mary Malebranche; Carole Clair; Patrick Bodenmann Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-10-16 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Aureliusz Kosendiak; Piotr Stanikowski; Dorota Domagała; Waldemar Gustaw; Monika Bronkowska Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-27 Impact factor: 3.390