Wednesday, April 12, 2006

by Dr Sonjia Kenya

Growing up in the Caribbean has health benefits that may last a lifetime. According to a study I recently conducted and published, Caribbean immigrants living in the United States exercise more often and are less sexually promiscuous than American-born people of colour.

However, I was surprised to discover that Americans have healthier dietary practices compared to Caribbean immigrants in the U.S. The difference in fitness behaviors can be explained by lifestyle conditioning associated with beautiful tropical climates.

Our environment encourages people to walk as a means of transportation and exercise through many occupations, including fishing, scuba diving, building, and managing the natural landscape. In addition, people in the Caribbean may be more motivated to exercise since weather requires we wear less clothing than our counterparts in America.

The study also revealed that Americans engaged in unprotected sex with more partners throughout their lifetime compared to Caribbean immigrants in the U.S. This can be explained by drastic cultural differences in social norms regarding gender roles as well as the ever-increasing average age at which American women marry.

Females from the Caribbean tend to grow up in societies strongly influenced by male dominant attitudes and strict religious practices. Thus, Caribbean women are more likely to avoid sex until meeting their husband, marry at younger ages, and are less likely to experience divorce than Americans.

Since the average American women is almost 30 years old (29.5) by the time she marries, sexual intercourse is rarely delayed until marriage. In addition, Americans divorce more frequently than Caribbean immigrants, which often result in sexual relationships with new partners.

Thus, compared to Caribbean immigrants, American men and women are more likely to have intercourse with more partners during their lifetime. Although this study indicates Caribbean people in America are not as sexually risky as Americans, unprotected intercourse is still RISKY in the Caribbean.

On several occasions, men in the Caribbean publicly confess acts of sexual infidelity and during a recent discussion, a prominent businessman told me, “I am married to my first girlfriend but it’s normal here to have sex with tourist women on the beach. A man is not a man until he’s had VD seven times. I’ve only had it five times so far.”

Unfortunately, his wife has also experienced the diseases resulting from his risky behavior. Despite her conservative sexual history involving only one man during her lifetime, her husband’s stream of diseases indicates that she is experiencing as many (or more) risks than promiscuous Americans.

A man who regularly cheats on his wife is dishonest and during a study of risk behaviors, it is unclear whether someone in his shoes would tell the truth. Therefore, during my study of sexual risk behaviors, it is possible that persons made from this strain of dishonest morality may not reveal the truth.

Thus, this study and all others should not be referenced when making personal decisions about sexual risk behaviours. This study also compared the dietary behaviours of Caribbean immigrants and Americans in the U.S. My colleagues and I were shocked to discover that Americans consume less fast-food, junk food, and soda than Caribbean people in the U.S.

These surprising conclusions can be attributed a culture of open access to fast food, which Americans grow up with, compared to the limited number of fast food chains existing in tropical climates. Though franchise establishments like Burger King, Wendy’s, and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) are rapidly growing in tropical climates, they are still a relatively exciting concept to non-American cultures.

By the time an average American child reaches adulthood, the negative health effects and poor nutritional content of fast food are well-known. Therefore, American adults reach a stage where fast-food is associated with poor health and avoiding fast-food is linked to better health outcomes.

Contrary to this, fast food restaurants in the Caribbean are limited and viewed as a special treat by island children who don’t have everyday access to McDonald’s or Burger King.

When these same children grow up and move to America, they are saturated with an abundance of affordable fast-food options and instantly learn how expensive fresh fruits and vegetables can be, especially if residing in a low-income area.

A new immigrant can get a whole meal for less than a dollar in a convenient, American fast-food chain while the same amount of money can’t purchase healthier foods that can be difficult to find in certain neighborhoods. When considered from this perspective, it is obvious why immigrants eat more fast food than Americans.

The good news is Caribbean immigrants continue healthy exercise behaviours after they move to the U.S. and are more physically active than Americans. Keep exercising and remember to protect yourself from the consequences of unsafe sexual experiences.

Don’t let images, concepts, or studies mislead you. Before committing your love and body to another, be sure their behaviours are worthy of your trust -- because your life depends on their honesty.

And, Caribbean, can we please shut down those disgusting long lines at our local fast-food chains each mealtime? Think about what you are putting into your body!

Everyone in the Caribbean knows that you get what you pay for. Our businesses are very profitable. If KFC, Burger King, and Wendy’s sell their food for a buck or two, what kind of quality are you eating?

The only way to make a profit in selling cheap food is to buy the cheapest, lowest quality ingredients. Food is your fuel for life and your body is the vehicle to transport you through life’s adventures. Bad gas and poor maintenance may hurt a vehicle’s engine and limit the distance a car can drive.

Fattening, non-nutritious foods combined with risky behaviors can hurt your heart and waistline, limiting how far you go in life.

Live long the Caribbean! Fuel up nutritiously and enjoy the ride of your life.

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