Anthropometrically determined nutritional status of urban primary schoolchildren in Makurdi, Nigeria

How did the use of the social marketing approach in Egyptian communities succeed in improving breastfeeding practices and infants' growth?

INTRODUCTION

Improving breastfeeding practices does not always link to interventions relying only on improving nutrition awareness and education but needs cultural and behavioral insights .

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in core breastfeeding indicators as a result of the use of social marketing (SM) approach for improving breastfeeding practices of Egyptian women and the physical growth of infants aged 6 to 12 months. The core breastfeeding indicators were: Early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, Predominant and exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months (EBF), Bottle feeding with formula, continued breastfeeding to 1 and 2 years, and responsiveness to cues of hunger and satiety.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental longitudinal study with a posttest-only control design was done over 3 years in three phases; the first was in-depth interviews and formative research followed by health education and counseling interventions and ended by measuring the outcome. Motivating mothers' voluntary behaviors toward breastfeeding promotion "feeding your baby like a baby" was done using SM principles: product, price, place, and promotion. The interventions targeted 646 pregnant women in their last trimester and delivered mothers and 1454 women in their childbearing period. The statistical analysis was done by using SPSS program, version 26.

RESULTS

Most mothers showed significantly increased awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and became interested in breastfeeding their children outside the house using the breastfeeding cover (Gawn) (p < 0.05). Breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months, frequency of breastfeeding per day, and percentage of children who continued breastfeeding till 2 years, were significantly increased (from 30%, 23%, 56%, and 32% to 62%, 47.3%, 69%, and 43.5% respectively). The girls who recorded underweight results over boys during the first year of life were significantly improved (p < 0.01) after the intervention (from 52.1% to 18.8% respectively). At the same time, girls found to be obese before the intervention (15.6%) became no longer obese.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement for the majority of the key breastfeeding indicators and physical growth of infants indicates that raising a healthy generation should start by promoting breastfeeding practices that are respectable to societal norms.

Determinants of coexistence of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children under five years in the Gambia; evidence from 2019/20 Gambian demographic health survey: application of multivariate binary logistic regression model

Background

Malnutrition happens when there are insufficient amounts of nutrients and energy consumed improperly. Included are both undernutrition and overnutrition. This study is aimed to evaluate the relationship among undernutrition indicators of stunting, underweight, and wasting among those under 5 years given other predictors.

Methods

The data were obtained from the measure of DHS program. A total of 2399 under-five children were involved in this study. A multivariate binary logistic regression model is used to assess the association between stunting, wasting, and being underweight given the effect of other predictors.

Results

Of the 2399 under-five children considered in this study, 13.5, 18.7, and 5.9% of them suffered from stunting, underweight, and wasting, respectively. The majority of children (40.1%) were obtained from the Brikama local government area of Gambia; more than half of the children (52.9%) were male, and 63.3% of children lived in urban areas. The association between stunting and underweight, underweight and wasting, and stunting and wasting was measured by the odds ratio (OR) of 15.87, 46.34, and 1.75, respectively, given the other predictors. The estimated odds ratio for children who had an average birth size to become stunted, underweight, and wasted were 0.965, 0.885, and 0.989 times the estimated odds ratio of children who had a small birth size, respectively.

Conclusion

The prevalence of stunting and wasting for under-five children in Gambia was lower than the world prevalence, but the prevalence of being underweight was higher. Children who are underweight have a significant association with both stunting and wasting. The age of the child, the child’s anemia level, and the birth type of the child are the common important determinants of stunting and underweight. The small birth size of a child was highly associated with a higher risk of stunting, underweight, and wasting among under five-year-olds.

Has the double burden of malnutrition reached pupils in rural western Kenya?

BACKGROUND

Undernutrition and overnutrition have been considered separate challenges caused by the distinct factors in distinct settings. The double burden of malnutrition is defined as the coexistence of both undernutrition and overnutrition, which has now spread globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, the double burden of malnutrition is present in the capital city but the situation in rural areas currently remains unknown. The aim of this study was therefore to analyze nutritional status in rural Kenya.

METHODS

Data from height and weight measurements conducted by teachers in the third term of school year 2013 were collected from primary schools. Teachers were trained by experts before starting the measurements. The Z-scores of height-for-age, weight-for-age, and body mass index-for-age were calculated using AnthroPlus, and nutritional status was defined according to the World Health Organization guidelines.

RESULTS

Data analyzed from 7,447 pupils (3,763 boys and 3,684 girls) showed that 12.4% were stunted and 7.8% were underweight among those ≤120 months old, and 11.7% were thin among those >120 months old. Boys were more likely to be stunted than girls. Boys were more likely to be underweight and girls were more likely to be overweight in the older age group.

CONCLUSION

The double burden of malnutrition was not found, and undernutrition was still common among schoolchildren in the study area. However, it is important to monitor nutritional status due to adverse effects of rapid urbanization. Height and weight measurements in schools may be useful for monitoring the nutritional status of schoolchildren.

Double burden of malnutrition among school-aged children and adolescents: evidence from a community-based cross-sectional survey in two Nigerian States

Background: Double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is the co-existence of overweight/obesity and undernutrition. Rising prevalence rates of childhood overweight/obesity in Nigeria have been reported, whilst undernutrition continues to be prevalent. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and distribution of underweight, stunting, thinness, overweight/obesity, and DBM among school-aged children and adolescents in two Nigerian States. Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study carried out in Osun and Gombe States. A total of 1,200 children aged 6 - 19 years were recruited using multi-stage sampling technique. Weight, height and data on demographic, socio-economic, household/family characteristics of the children were collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaires. Nutritional status was calculated using the WHO 2007 reference values using BMI-for-age (thinness, overweight/obesity), height-for-age (stunting) and weight-for-age (underweight). DBM was described at the population and individual levels. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 11.6 ± 3.8 years. The overall prevalence rate of stunting was 34.9%, underweight was 13.5%, thinness was 10.3% and overweight/obese was 11.4% and 4.0% had individual level DBM, which typifies the DBM at individual and population levels. These rates differed significantly across demographic, socio-economic and household/family characteristics (p < 0.05). Gombe State, which is in the Northern part of Nigeria, had significantly higher burden of stunted, underweight and thin children than Osun State, while Osun State, in the Southern part of Nigeria, had a significantly higher burden of overweight/obesity. Conclusions: The study found evidence of DBM both at population and individual levels. The overall prevalence rates of stunting, underweight, thinness and overweight/obesity in this study were high, and they differed significantly across the demographic, socio-economic and household/family characteristics. There is the need for government and all other stakeholders to design nutritional educational programmes that will target both under- and over-nutrition among older children in the different contexts.

Evaluation of the nutritional status of rural children living in Zambia

Background

Growth references (growth charts) are used to assess the nutritional and growth status of children. In developed countries, there are growth charts based on the country’s national surveys. However, many developing countries do not have their own growth references, so they usually use WHO and US CDC references. In such cases, it is known that the growth statuses of the subject are underestimated or overestimated. This study sought to accurately assess the growth status of children by developing a local growth chart for children living in the Southern Province of Zambia.

Methods

Anthropometric measurements were conducted on 1135 children aged 2–19 years in the target area. The height and weight data for each sex and age were smoothed using the LMS method, and a percentile curve of height and weight was developed. Based on the US CDC reference, three indicators of undernutrition (stunting, underweight, and thinness) were calculated to determine the proportion of those who are undernourished (z-score < − 2).

Results

The 50th percentile curve of height and weight in the growth chart of the target population was equivalent to the 5–25th percentile curve of the US reference, and the children of Zambia were both small and of low weight. Conversely, although many subjects are small and of low weight, it was found that there were few poor nutritional statuses as judged by BMI. Through comparison with a previous study in the Southern Province of Zambia, a secular change in the growth of children over 20 years was found. Although there was no significant increase in height and weight in the older age group, there was a significant increase in height and weight at an earlier age. This is thought to be due to an increase in the growth rate of children due to improved socioeconomic conditions, women’s education level, and improvement in health care standards.

Conclusions

The subjects were small and of low weight compared to the US population, but the nutritional status was not poor by BMI. The height and weight at an earlier age increased compared to 20 years ago.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40101-020-00244-8.

Double Burden of Malnutrition: Evidence from a Selected Nigerian Population

Indices reflecting the double burden of malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa are increasing. Evidence to support this claim in households of Africa's most populous country-Nigeria-is scant. This study, therefore, presents results from a study of mother-child pairs sampled from Akwa Ibom State in the southern region of Nigeria. Anthropometric measures for 660 mother-child pairs were collected according to standard procedures. Indices were expressed as the standard deviation of units from the median for the reference group. Chi-square analysis was used to test significant differences in proportion, and p < 0.05 was taken as significant. A total of 37.4% of the children were stunted out of which 19.8% were moderately stunted, and 17.6% were severely stunted. Prevalence of wasting was 13.1%, 6.2% were moderately wasted, and 6.9% were severely wasted. Mean maternal body mass index was (23.54 ± 4.60) kgm2. 9.0% were underweight mothers, 23.2% were overweight, and 9.3% were obese. The co-existence of undernutrition among children and overnutrition in women of child-bearing age is prevalent in this population. We recommend that more effort be placed on active nutrition surveillance to ascertain malnutrition prevalence and periodically reassess priority challenges.

Nutritional status of school age children in Abakaliki metropolis, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is a major public health problem with short and long-term adverse effects on children particularly in middle and low-income countries. Three out of every ten under-five children are said to be stunted and 19.4% underweight in Nigeria. In Ebonyi State, between 2013 and 2015, the proportion of preschool children with chronic undernutrition rose from 16.2 to 20.6%. Little is documented about the nutritional status of school-age children in Ebonyi State and Nigeria.

METHODS

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among 780 children aged 6 to 12 years from 10 primary schools in Abakaliki metropolis. A multistage sampling method was used to select the participants. A pre-tested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the children and their parents. Body Mass Index (BMI), Z scores of the weight for age, BMI for age and height for age were obtained using the WHO AnthroPlus software. We estimated the prevalence of undernutrition, over-nutrition, underweight, thinness, stunting, overweight and obesity.

RESULT

Out of 751 pupils that participated, 397 (52.9%) were females and 595 (79.2%) were in public schools. The overall prevalence of undernutrition was 15.7% and that of over-nutrition was 2.1%. The prevalence of underweight, thinness and stunting, overweight and obesity were 8, 7.2, 9.9, 1.4 and 0.7% respectively. The proportion of pupils who were thin was higher among males (8.7%), those attending public schools (8.6%) and those dwelling in rural parts of the metropolis (14.3%) compared to females (5.8%) private school attendees (1.9%) and urban dwellers (4.6%). Stunting was found to be higher among pupils attending public schools (11.8%) compared to those attending private schools (2.5%). The prevalence of stunting was 19.3% among the pupils residing in rural areas and 5% among the pupils living in urban areas of the metropolis. No pupil in private schools was underweight. Over-nutrition was not found among the pupils in rural areas.

CONCLUSION

Both under and over nutrition exist in Abakaliki metropolis. Undernutrition is the more prevalent form of malnutrition among school age children in the metropolis.

[Prevalence and factors associated with stunting among schoolchildren in Dori in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso]

OBJECTIVES

To study the factors associated with stunted physical growth in primary school children and adolescents in the Burkina Faso Sahel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of the data from the survey conducted by the Directorate of Nutrition in June 2016 in 13 primary schools. The baseline study was conducted from May 15 to 24, 2016. This secondary analysis of the database took place from March to August 2017. The study participants were made up of male and female students from public primary schools and who were beneficiaries of the school canteens of the Dori municipality at the time of the survey. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with a 5% significance level.

RESULTS

The analysis involved a sample of 568 students aged 5 to 15 years. Girls accounted for 52% of students. The prevalence of stunting was 32.92% (95% CI [29-36%]), it was 28.93% (95 % CI [23.84-34.62%]) among boys and 36.61 % (95% CI [31.28-42.28%]) in girls. Among primary students, age (ORa = 4.38, P = 0.00), anemia (ORa = 0.24, P = 0.01) and latrine use (ORa = 0.58 with P = 0.02) were the factors statistically associated with stunting (P &lt; 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of stunting among primary school students in the commune of Dori remains high. Associated factors were age, anemia and latrine use. Promotion of latrine use in households and prevention of anemia in children under 5 years of age would be necessary for the reduction of stunting among adolescents.

Overweight and Obesity Among School-aged Children and Maternal Preventive Practices against Childhood Obesity in Select Local Government Areas of Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity is an emerging epidemic in the developing countries, particularly in the urban settings. This study examines the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children and the maternal preventive practices against childhood obesity.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of school-aged children aged 6-13 years and mothers from two Local Government Areas of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select study areas and participants, while data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. The Body Mass Index (BMI) of children were determined using the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2007 reference charts. Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical variables and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the factors associated with the nutritional status and maternal childhood obesity preventive practices. All analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.

RESULTS

In all, 440 children comprising of 232 boys (52.7%) and 208 girls (42.3%) were studied. Of these, 29 of the participants (6.6%) were overweight, while 39 of them (8.9%) were obese. Most of the children (71.2%) consumed root/tubers and processed cereals while 9 (0.02%) and (17) 0.04% consumed fruits and vegetables. BMI was only significantly related to child age and sex. In all, 243 mothers (55.2%) had good practices against childhood obesity. Levels of maternal preventive practices were not significantly associated with child BMI.

CONCLUSIONS AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Overweight/obesity among school-aged children in Lagos is high. Only half of the mothers were involved in preventive practices against childhood obesity. There is need for continuous education and advocacy concerning healthy diet and other preventive strategies against childhood obesity in Lagos, and potentially other parts of the developing world.

Prevalence and correlates of stunting among the school-age population in North-Central Nigeria

Introduction

Stunting remains a huge public health concern among developing Nations. However, the burden of this problem among the school-age population appears to have been eclipsed by most nutritional surveys that focus more on the under-fives. This study aimed to demonstrate the prevalence, and identify socio-demographic factors that are associated with stunting among the school-age children in North central Nigeria.

Methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that involved 450 pupils, aged 6-12 years from 10 randomly selected primary schools in Jos, Plateau state. Anthropometric indices were measured using standard techniques and the Height-for-age z-scores were generated using the WHO Anthroplus software. Socio-demographic details were obtained using semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using EPI infoTM statistical software 7.1.5.2.

Results

The mean age of the subjects was 9.3 ± 1.8 years and the male to female ratio was 1:1.1. The prevalence of stunting was 10.5%. The prevalence of stunting was significantly higher among pupils that attended public schools (p<0.0001), those whose mothers had less than secondary level of education (p=0.0427), those between the ages of 10-12 years (p<0.0001), those from the lower socio-economic class (p=0.0021), and those whose family sizes were larger than six family members (p=0.0063).

Conclusion

The substantial burden of stunting among the school age population has significant correlation with certain socio-demographic factors. Addressing these factors by alleviating poverty, promoting maternal literacy and encouraging family planning may, perhaps, lessen the burden of stunting among the school-age group in Northern Nigeria.

Nutritional status of children ages 0-5 and 5-10 years old in households headed by fisherfolks in the Philippines

Background

The study aimed to analyze the nutritional status of Filipino children ages 0-60 months (0-5.0 years old) and 61-120 months (5.08-10.0 years old) in households headed by fisherfolks.

Methods

The 8th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) data collected by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) was used in the study. There were 13,423 young children and 16,398 schoolchildren participants for anthropometry component. The World Health Organization Child Growth Standards (WHO-CGS) was used to assess the nutritional status of the young children while the WHO Growth Reference 2007 was used for schoolchildren. Occupational groups were categorized based on the 1992 Philippine Standard Occupational Classification (PSOC). Descriptive statistics were used for the profiling of the different variables while bivariate analysis, logistic regression and odds ratios were used to correlate the different variables to the nutrition status of the children. Data were analyzed using Stata 12.0.

Results

Results showed that households headed by fisherfolks (HHF) were one of the occupational groups with highest malnutrition among young and school-aged children. The HHF had higher prevalence of malnutrition among young children compared to the overall prevalence of malnutrition among young children in the Philippines, except for overweight. This is also true for schoolchildren, except for wasting. Age of child, sex, household size, age, fishermen and farmer as household head and type of toilet (water-sealed) were correlated to stunting, underweight, overweight and obesity among children.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting among young and schoolchildren in this occupational group poses immediate and serious nutrition intervention strategies such as health and nutrition information, health care, sanitation and hygiene, and physical activities. A national policy on the health, nutrition and welfare of households headed by fisherfolks and their children is highly recommended.

Socio-demographic determinants of body mass index among school children in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

African specific studies on the factors associated with the growth pattern of children are needed to guide evidence and develop effective population-based interventions that can be tailored to the unique African context.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-economic correlates of body mass index (BMI) of primary and secondary school children in Ebonyi State, which is situated in south-eastern Nigeria.

METHODOLOGY

This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study that utilised clustering and stratified sampling techniques to select 1000 learners from primary and secondary schools located in Abakaliki local government area. Apart from a questionnaire, a Mettler weighing scale was also used for data collection. A generalised linear model was used to test the association between the participants' socio-demographic characteristics and their BMI.

RESULT

BMI was positively related to female gender but negatively related to age and level of education. The mode of cooking, who the participants live with and how they get to school also predicted changes in BMI. Other variables like mother's occupation and family's mode of transport were also associated with BMI changes while father's level of education, mother's level of education, father's occupation and the type of residence did not have any statistical relationship with BMI.

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that the BMI of school children is influenced by the socio-demographic characteristics surrounding them. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve the socio-economic standing of families in this community.

Design, Response Rates, and Population Characteristics of a Cross-Sectional Study in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Background

Data on nutritional status and correlates of noncommunicable diseases are scarce for resource-poor settings in sub-Saharan countries. With the scope of a project, “Access to Food and Nutrition Status of the Zanzibari Population,” data for investigating public health questions were collected using proven measurement and laboratory standards.

Objective

The present study aims at providing a descriptive overview of recruitment approaches, standardization, quality control measures, and data collection, with special attention to the design, responses, and participant characteristics of the overall project.

Methods

A cross-sectional study across 80 randomly selected Shehias (wards) was conducted in 2013 in Unguja Island, Zanzibar. Examinations included all members living in 1 household, face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements (weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, waist and hip circumference, and body composition) were assessed for all household members, blood pressure was taken from participants older than 2 years, and biosamples (urine and blood) from eligible household members were collected. Data collected from the core sample included sociodemographic data, nutritional status, and medical history (hypertension). Physical activity data was collected from a subsample of children between 3 and 16 years of age.

Results

A total of 1314 participants (mean age 23.6 ± 18.9 years, 54.54% female) completed all anthropometric measurements and were included in the analysis. Out of which, 98.40% (1293/1314) completed the household member’s questionnaire, 93.32% (1229/1314) participants older than 2 years completed blood pressure measurements, and 64.31% (845/1314) blood samples were collected from participants older than 5 years. Underweight prevalence for the total study population was 36.53% (480/1314) with the highest prevalence in children under 14 years. Overweight and obesity was highest among females with the prevalence of 7.61% (100/1314) and 6.62% (87/1314), respectively; obesity was rare among male participants.

Conclusions

The study provides valuable data to investigate the interplay of socioeconomic, demographic, environmental, physiological, and behavioral factors in the development of diet-related disorders in a representative sample of the Zanzibari population.

Prevalence and factors associated with anthropometric failure, vitamin A and iron deficiency among adolescents in a Nigerian urban community

BACKGROUND

Under nutrition is a problem of severe magnitude in low income countries like Nigeria. Adolescent school children might also be vulnerable. The dearth of data hinders planning of school health and nutrition programmes for school children.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of stunting, thinness; vitamin A and iron deficiencies among adolescent students in Nsukka urban, Nigeria and to determine factors that are associated with these nutritional problems.

METHODS

A total of 400 participants were randomly selected from 717 students aged 12 - 18 years in 3 randomly selected secondary schools. Questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and blood analyses were the data collection methods employed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of stunting was 33.3% and thinness 31.0%. Neither overweight nor obesity was observed. While 64.0% were anaemic; 44.0% had vitamin A deficiency (VAD). A total of 48.0% had both anaemia and stunting, 42% had VAD + thinness; while 40% had anaemia + VAD. Household income was a predictor of vitamin A status. Children from medium/high income households had higher odds of having VAD than those from low income households (AOR=0.14; 95% CI=0.031, 0.607; P=0.009). Household income (AOR=0.12; 95% CI=0.021, 0.671; P=0.016), and age (AOR=0.09; 95% CI=0.014, 0.587; P=0.012) were independent determinants of height-for-age status.

CONCLUSION

Among urban adolescent students in Nigeria, stunting, thinness, anaemia and VAD were problems of public health significance. Age and household monthly income played major roles.

Determinants of Body Mass Index and Intelligence Quotient of Elementary School Children in Mountain Area of Nepal: An Explorative Study

The physical growth and cognitive development of elementary school children are very crucial and this group is large in number but has little research dedicated to it. The physical growth and cognitive development of children occur simultaneously and can be measured by body mass index (BMI) and intelligence quotient (IQ). Previous studies could not sufficiently focus on both aspects. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of BMI and IQ of students in two elementary schools in the Humla district of Nepal. Two randomly selected elementary schools and all children available there (n = 173) participated in the study. BMI was calculated with the objective of proper measurement of height and weight of the children. Likewise, the updated universal nonverbal intelligence test (UNIT) was applied for IQ. Descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance and multiple linear regressions were used when appropriate. Study findings showed that one-tenth of the children had grade 2 thinness (-2SD) and about one-third had poor IQ (<85). The age of the children (p < 0.05) and household economic status (p < 0.001) were significant for the BMI. Likewise, frequencies of illness in the previous year, mother's education (p < 0.05) and father's education (p < 0.001) were significant factors for the IQ score. More commonly, BMI and IQ scores were significantly lower in the ultra-poor group. Economic status and parent education are still major determinants of IQ and BMI in these students. Special programs and strategies should be launched to improve the poor ranking of IQ and BMI.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and their Association with Nutritional Status of Rural and Urban Pre-School Children in Benue State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent in developing countries, contributing to high incidence of malnutrition and morbidity. This study aimed to find the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and their association with nutritional status of children in Benue State, Nigeria.

METHODS

A cross sectional study conducted from January-June 2016, among 418 school children under-5 years of age. Anthropometric data, height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age Z-scores from each child and fecal samples were collected and screened for intestinal parasites using standard laboratory methods.

RESULTS

Among the intestinal parasitic infections detected, the prevalence of E. histolytica was higher (51.0% and 29.0%) than all other parasites encountered in rural and urban pupils (P<0.05). Other parasites were Hookworm (46.2% and 24.8%); G. lamblia (11.5% and 8.6%); and T. trichiura (2.4% and 5.2%). The prevalence of stunting (HAZ<-2), in rural and urban pupils were 43.8% and 32.9%; 64.4% and 39.0% rural and urban pupils were underweight (WAZ<-2), while 30.3% and 24.3% were wasted (WHZ<-2). Infected children had significantly (P<0.05) higher z-scores than the uninfected children.

CONCLUSION AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Benue State is among the Nigerian states with the highest burden of tropical diseases with a current plan of elimination implemented through mass drug administration. This study identify/evaluate some essential information that will support the planning and implementation of the State's ongoing efforts.

Obesity among Elementary Schoolchildren: A Growing Concern in the North of Iran, 2012

Background:

The aim of the present study is to assess the elementary schoolchildren's nutritional status based on anthropometric indices due to the sudden spread of obesity in children and adolescents in both developed and developing countries.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3647 children with an age range of 7–11 years of primary schools in Babol using cluster random sampling method in 2012. Children younger than 7 years or older than 11 years, children with chronic diseases, pupils treated with corticosteroids or growth hormone replacement therapy and children with chromosomal abnormalities were excluded from the study. Anthropometric indices were measured by medical students and evaluated according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standard percentiles. Data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 18 with Chi-square and independent samples t-test.

Results:

The body mass index of 26.1% of children was greater than the 85^th percentile, and 4.7% was less than the 5^th percentile. The prevalence of obesity among boys was significantly higher than girls (P = 0.007). Moreover, urban children (P = 0.0001) and children who studied in private schools (P = 0.0001) had a significantly higher proportion of obesity and overweight than the urban and private schoolstudents. The highest prevalence of obesity and overweight belonged to 18.0% of the students among fifth graders and 15.3% of schoolchildren among third graders, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The results showed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the study was higher. It seems it is necessary to implement the intervention programs to prevent overweight and obesity among schoolchildren.

Evidence of an overweight/obesity transition among school-aged children and youth in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity has increased considerably in recent years. The transition to higher rates of overweight/obesity has been well documented in high income countries; however, consistent or representative data from lower income countries is scarce. It is therefore pertinent to assess if rates of overweight/obesity are also increasing in lower income countries, to inform public health efforts.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to investigate the evidence for an overweight/obesity transition occurring in school-aged children and youth in Sub Saharan Africa.

METHODS

Studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE, Embase, Africa Index Medicus, Global Health, Geobase, and EPPI-Centre electronic databases. Studies that used subjective or objective metrics to assess body composition in apparently healthy or population-based samples of children and youth aged 5 to 17 years were included.

RESULTS

A total of 283 articles met the inclusion criteria, and of these, 68 were used for quantitative synthesis. The four regions (West, Central, East, and South) of Sub Saharan Africa were well represented, though only 11 (3.9%) studies were nationally representative. Quantitative synthesis revealed a trend towards increasing proportions of overweight/obesity over time in school-aged children in this region, as well as a persistent problem of underweight. Weighted averages of overweight/obesity and obesity for the entire time period captured were 10.6% and 2.5% respectively. Body composition measures were found to be higher in girls than boys, and higher in urban living and higher socioeconomic status children compared to rural populations or those of lower socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides evidence for an overweight/obesity transition in school-aged children in Sub Saharan Africa. The findings of this review serve to describe the region with respect to the growing concern of childhood overweight/obesity, highlight research gaps, and inform interventions.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42013004399.

Nutritional Taboos among the Fullas in Upper River Region, The Gambia

Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality of children in the world. In The Gambia, malnutrition is one of the major public health problems. Among the factors determining its high prevalence, cultural norms play a crucial role. Food taboos influence the amount, frequency, and quality of nutrients that mothers and children consume. In this qualitative study carried out in the Upper River Region, The Gambia, seventeen mothers whose ethnic affiliation is Fulla were interviewed. The objective was to describe their food taboos and how they influence their nutritional health. The findings of this study demonstrate that some of the taboos practiced by the Fulla may be regarded as contributing factors to protein-energy malnutrition in children and pregnant and lactating women. The findings will inform the design of future health education strategies targeting malnutrition in this specific cultural context.

Body fat distribution of children and adolescents in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria

Excessive central fat in children and adolescents is a risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. This study aimed to compare the body fat distribution patterns of children and adolescents in Abeokuta, Nigeria with international reference standards. Five hundred seventy children aged 5 to 19 years were selected from seven schools using multistage random sampling. Weight, height, triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (TSF, SSF), and circumference at the waist and hips (WC, HC) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), subscapular:triceps skinfold ratio (STR), waist:hip circumference ratio (WHR), and waist: height ratio (WHtR) were derived. Females had higher mean BMI, TSF, SSF, WC, HC, WHR, and WHtR, while males had significantly higher STR. The mean BMI, WC, TSF, and SSF values were lower for our subjects than for African-American subjects at all ages. On the other hand, in both sexes, STR was higher among Nigerian than African-American subjects up to 12 years old. Thereafter the values were similar. The mean WC was similar to those reported for African-American males up to 8 years, and females up to 7 years of age; thereafter, African-American had higher values. The prevalence of central obesity using WC and WHtR measures was 4.4% and 5.8%, respectively. There is a need to validate each index against serum lipid profiles and other cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.