Results of the 2003–2004 ESCAL Study

The Study on Health and Food Consumption in Martinique (Escal) was conducted in 2003–2004 by the Antilles-Guyana Interregional Epidemiology Unit (Cire) and the Martinique Health Observatory with the aim of determining, among other things, the nutritional status of the population and its dietary intake. The analyses provided a description of the dietary intakes of the Martinique population aged 16 and older in relation to the consumption benchmarks and target indicators of the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS).
Overall, estimated energy intakes were fairly low, and macronutrient intakes were in line with PNNS recommendations. Low consumers of dairy products (<2.5 servings per day) accounted for eight out of ten individuals. Low consumers of fruits and vegetables (<3.5 servings per day) constituted nearly 60% of the population. Different consumption patterns emerged by age, with the most unfavorable consumption levels generally observed among young adults. Age was indeed associated with low consumption of fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and seafood. Furthermore, a high socioeconomic score was associated with adequate fruit consumption, while a high level of education was associated with a higher likelihood of being a low consumer of dairy products.
The findings underscore the importance of implementing measures to improve dietary intake in Martinique, particularly among young adults, to align with the recommendations issued under the PNNS.

Results of the 2006 NutriMay Study

The NutriMay study was conducted among 993 individuals.
The main findings of the study show that:

• Dietary intake was characterized by low consumption of dairy products, calcium, fruits and vegetables, and thiamine, reflecting a diet lacking in variety.

• Among women, physical activity levels were low (55% had low levels) and the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0) was high (women: 32%, men: 8%).

• One-quarter of adults had high blood pressure.

• Among children, cases of undernutrition persisted: 7% of children were underweight (weight-for-height) and 6% had stunted growth (height-for-age).

The findings highlighted the persistence of malnutrition among young children, the high prevalence of obesity among women, and obesity-related diseases (hypertension, diabetes, etc.). The aging population is also expected to contribute to an increase in the burden of these diseases among the population of Mayotte. These findings illustrate the need for public health measures aimed at improving food availability and better preventing, screening for, and managing obesity and malnutrition. 

Findings on dietary intake from the 2013 Kannari Study

The field phase of this cross-sectional study of the general population took place from September to December 2013 in Guadeloupe and Martinique.
In total, 83 children aged 11–15 in Guadeloupe and 70 in Martinique completed two 24-hour dietary recalls. Only 16.5% of them consumed at least 400 g/day of fruits and vegetables (recommendation of the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS)). On average, they consumed 1.7 servings of dairy products per day, compared to 3 to 4 servings in the PNNS guideline. Furthermore, 28.3% consumed more than 2 servings of “meat, fish, eggs,” that is, exceeding the PNNS guideline. Few differences were observed between departments or by gender. Overall, the balance of macronutrient intakes was in line with recommendations, but calcium intakes were insufficient. Although based on a limited sample size, these results highlight the need for public health initiatives to improve dietary consumption and nutritional intakes among children in the French West Indies.
Among eligible adults, 651 in Guadeloupe and 662 in Martinique responded to two 24-hour dietary recalls. One-quarter of them consumed at least 400 g of fruits and vegetables per day (recommendation of the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS)). Furthermore, 9 out of 10 adults consumed dairy products in quantities below the PNNS recommendations, and one-quarter exceeded the consumption benchmark for the “meat, fish, eggs” group. Few differences were observed between the departments. Consumption of “meat, fish, eggs,” starchy foods, added fats, and sugary drinks was higher among men than among women. Total energy intake and intake of alcohol and calcium were generally low, but the macronutrient balance was in line with recommendations. Iron-deficiency anemia affected 6.7% of premenopausal women in both departments. In addition, 30.9% of men and 14.9% of women were at risk of folate deficiency. The situation observed here reflects changes in dietary patterns compared to those recorded in the Escal survey in Martinique ten years earlier. Efforts to raise awareness and improve access to health-promoting foods therefore remain necessary.