Weight Changes Among Martinican Prisoners

Several studies described how weight of prisoners may vary during incarceration. Taking or losing weight both have health consequences but are also a warning signal for several pathologies. Female prisoners are more likely getting fat, data are rare and contradictory about male prisoners. A single study was conducted in mainland France and including few men. Furthermore, Martinique is a department where the prevalence of overweight and diabetes in the general population are higher than the national average. Prisoners most often have socio-demographic featuring and morbidity different from the general population (more men, some over-represented age groups, addictive behaviors and more frequent mental health problems ...). Aspects nutritional information is less often documented. What about the weight variation of people held in Martinique? Is incarceration always accompanied by weight gain? What are factors associated with weight variation? This study aims to answer to those questions by including all men newly admit in the only martinican jail aged from 18 to 44 years and consenting. During admission medical consultation, prisoners will fill guided by the investigator doctor of self-questionnaires of the evaluation of the level of physical activity, assessment of nutritional intakes and psychological state before incarceration. Measurement of weight and other anthropometrics data will be done, investigator doctor will collect data about socio-economic featuring, medical history and treatment. Three months later, a research technician will interview included prisoners in their life place and guide them to fill new self-questionnaires of the evaluation of the level of physical activity, assessment of nutritional intakes and psychological state during incarceration. Measure weight and other anthropometrics data and collecting data about new treatment, stopping tobacco will be done during this interview.

Inclusion criteria

• all men newly incarcerated in martinican jail during inclusion period
• age between 18 and 44 years old
• having given his consent

Exclusion criteria

• female
• 44 years old and up
• not understanding or speaking French or English