Sociodemographic and behavioral factors related to obesity among adults in the Republic of Palau based on the WHO STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance 2011-2013: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Pacific islanders face drastic increase of obesity-related noncommunicable disease (NCD) due to lifestyle shifts of unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. To date, however, obesity related factors have not been well elucidated in Republic of Palau. This study aimed to investigate sociodemographic and behavioral factors related to obesity using the national level data in Palau.

Toward Healthy Aging in Palau.

Background And Objectives: Palau is facing a rapidly aging population and developing a comprehensive national aging policy to address the growing needs of older adults, but more research is needed to understand their circumstances and needs in relation to healthy aging. This study aims to investigate these factors and contribute to developing the National Policy on Care for the Aging.

Research Design And Methods: The study adopted a participatory action research design and included focus groups with older adults, public consultations, and stakeholder interviews, providing insights into the needs of an aging population and how to address them.

Determinants of alcohol consumption and marijuana use among young adults in the Republic of Palau.

Background: This study aimed to describe the status of alcohol consumption and drug use among young adults as well as their determinants.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 356 young adults (aged 18 to 24 years) living in Palau in 2013. The prevalence of self-reported alcohol and marijuana usage were compared within and between sexes, age groups, ethnicities, and education levels.

An Evaluation of Infertility Among Women in the Republic of Palau, 2016.

Fertility challenges are a personal and important part of a woman's reproductive health and are associated with health and lifestyle factors. Limited data exist on infertility among women in Palau. We describe the lifetime prevalence of self-reported infertility in a nationally representative sample of women in Palau and investigate the association between tobacco and/or betel nut use and infertility.

Prevalence and Correlates of Dyslipidemia Among Men and Women in Palau: Findings of the Palau STEPS Survey 2011-2013.

Background: Epidemiological evidence of dyslipidemia in Pacific Island countries is limited despite the knowledge that non-communicable diseases have a high burden in the region. We aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of dyslipidemia among residents of Palau.

Methods: The Palau STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS), which was conducted from 2011 through 2013, comprised three parts: behavioral risk factors; physical measurements; and biochemical tests, covering areas such as blood lipids.

Assessment of Gestational Diabetes and Associated Risk Factors and Outcomes in the Pacific Island Nation of Palau.

Objective Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Palau and across the Pacific Islands is a serious public health issue that is currently understudied. Methods This study was a retrospective cohort study that included 1730 women with a single live birth in Palau between January 2007 and December 2014. Results The overall prevalence of GDM among women in Palau was 5.

Disparity in metabolic risk factors of non-communicable diseases between Palauans and Filipinos living in Palau.

Non-communicable diseases have been recognized as a serious threat to public health in Palau. To tackle the problem, different strategies might be necessary for populations with different ethnic backgrounds. This study aims to find the differences in the prevalence of metabolic risk factors of non-communicable diseases between Palauans and Filipinos living in Palau, and examine possible determinants of the differences.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Hypertension and Its Association With Obesity: Based on the WHO STEPwise Approach to Surveillance in Palau.

The rise of noncommunicable diseases is a serious health burden for Palau. This study described the prevalence of hypertension, and assessed its association with obesity. Surveys following the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance were conducted in 2529 adults.

Prevalence and predictors of prediabetes and diabetes among adults in Palau: population-based national STEPS survey.

We aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of diabetes and prediabetes among adults in Palau. We used data of 1915 adults, aged 25 to 64 years, who participated in the World Health Organization's (WHO) STEPwise Approach to Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) study in Palau. Information on behavioral risk factors of NCDs and physical and biochemical measurements were obtained using standard methods of the WHO.

Profile of non-communicable disease risk factors among adults in the Republic of Palau: findings of a national STEPS survey.

Palau, similar to other Pacific island countries, is currently highly burdened with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The WHO STEPS was launched in 2011 to comprehensively survey indicators for NCDs in the country. This paper aims to describe the prevalence of key NCD risk factors assessed by the survey.