Study Site: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Institution(s): FDI Clinical Research of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR; Center for Clinical Research and Health Promotion, University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR
Principal Investigator: Dr. Josiemer Mattei
Co-Investigators: Dr. Kaumudi Joshipura, Dr. Carlos Ríos-Bedoya, Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Orengo
Other team members include: Dr. Lydia Lopez, Ms. Sasha Martinez, Dr. Alan Preston, and Ms. Sandra Soltero.
Puerto Rico at a Glance
Area: 13,790 sq km
Population: 3,620,897
Median age: total 38.7 years
Urban population: 99% of total population
Life expectancy: male 75.46 yr; female: 82.8 yr
Diabetes prevealence: 397,100 cases, 15.5% (national prevalence)
Per capita GDP: $16,300
Languages: Spanish, English
Diet:
Authentic Puerto Rican food (comida criolla) can be summed up in three words: rice, beans, and meat. It is well-seasoned but rarely spicy.
Plantains are commonly consumed and the primary source of starch, although Puerto Ricans also consume cassava and other tropical tubers. Typical plantain-made foods include “mofongo” (plantains mashed, fried, and mashed again, when filled up (relleno) with seafood) and “tostones” (twice deep-fried plantain chips).
Tropical fruits are plentiful, especially mangoes, papayas, pineapples, bananas, coconuts, and guavas.
Publications:
- Mattei J, Tamez M, Rios-Bedoya CF, Xiao RS, Tucker KL, Rodriguez-Orengo JF. Health conditions and lifestyle risk factors of adults living in Puerto Rico: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2018; 18:491.
- Tamez M, Rios-Bedoya CF, Rodriguez-Orengo JF, Tucker KL, Mattei J. Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors, and Health Conditions of Dominican Adults Living in Puerto Rico. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 2017.
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Mattei J, Rodriguez-Orengo JF, Tamez M, Corujo F, Caludio A, Villanueva H, Campos H, Willett WC, Tucker KL, Rios-Bedoya CF. Challenges and opportunities in establishing a collaborative multisite observational study of chronic diseases and lifestyle factors among adults in Puerto Rico. BMC Public Health. 2017; 17:136.
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Mattei J, Campos H. Perceptions and behaviors of legume consumption among Puerto Rican adults. Health Behaviors and Policy Review; 1(1): 38-49, 2014.
Sources:
The World Factbook, 2013-2014. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2013.
IDF Diabetes Atlas, 6th Edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2014.
