Socioeconomic determinants of nutritional behaviors of households in Fars Province, Iran, 2018

Introduction

Households' dietary habits are affected by their environment and socioeconomic status (SES). This study aims to investigate eating behaviors and determine the factors affecting nutritional status in households in Fars Province in 2018.

Method

In this cross-sectional study, urban and rural households were selected using the multistage sampling method. A questionnaire was employed to interview the mother or householder to record the demographic, SES, and dietary habits of the family for major food items commonly used. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the data. The p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

In total, 6,429 households participated in the study. The majority of households use traditional flatbread, low-fat milk, and liquid/cooking oil. Frying was the most prevalent method of cooking. Parents' level of education and SES were associated with type of consumed bread, milk and dairy, methods of food preparation, adding salt at the table, eating out, and fast-food usage. Parents' higher level of education was significantly associated with salt storage in optimal conditions and not using salt before tasting the meal.

Conclusion

Most of the households had healthy practices, especially in consumption of certain oils and methods of preparing their food as well as keeping salt in an optimal condition and using iodized salt. The most important unhealthy nutritional behavior was high consumption of fast food and outdoor food, especially in urban regions. Unhealthy dietary habits were more prevalent in households with low household and regional SES. Both households and regions with higher SES had better dietary habits.

Improvement in Anthropometric Measurements of Malnourished Children by Means of Complementary Food and Nutritional Education in Fars Province, Iran: A Community-Based Intervention

Background

Childhood malnutrition could have adverse impacts on the growth of child and eventually on fertility and general economic growth, and still, this issue remains a worldwide priority and a concern. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the national nutritional interventions program on the improvement and nutritional status of malnourished children children aged 6–59 months.

Methods

This community-based intervention study was conducted with 1288 acute and moderately malnourished children aged 6–59 months referred to health centers. Children received combined nutritional education and counseling with the provision of affordable complementary food for 10 months. Anthropometric measurements were assessed monthly according to the standard protocols.

Results

Our results showed the reduction in the risk of malnutrition among children after nutritional interventions for weight-for-height (WHZ) (P < 0.001), height-for-age (HAZ) (P < 0.001), and weight-for-age (WAZ) (P = 0.008). Total malnourished children indicated improvement in HAZ (<-3 SD: OR = 1.10, P = 0.026), WAZ (<-2SD: OR = 1.21, P < 0.001; <-3SD: OR = 1.60, P < 0.001), and WHZ (<-3SD: OR = 1.10, P = 0.030). Controlling potential confounders (socioeconomic status, childrens' birth supine length, and weight) showed a significant amelioration in HAZ (<-2 SD: OR = 6.20, P = 0.020; <-3 SD: OR = 9, P = 0.003) and WAZ (<-2 SD: OR = 5.85, P = 0.010; <-3 SD: OR = 7.50, P = 0.004). In urban areas, significant amelioration was observed in HAZ (<-3 SD: OR = 1.22, P = 0.010) and WAZ (<-2 SD: OR = 1.24, P = 0.003; <-3 SD: OR = 1.64, P < 0.001). In rural, considerable amelioration was observed in WAZ (<-2 SD: OR = 1.20, P = 0.010; <-3 SD: OR = 1.50, P < 0.001) and WHZ (<-3 SD: OR = 1.20, P = 0.020).

Conclusion

Nutritional training and counseling as well as complementary food intervention among the malnourished children significantly improved the nutritional status of children. So community-based intervention is recommended to reduce the malnutrition among children.

To assess the effects of nutritional intervention based on advocacy approach on malnutrition status among school-aged children in Shiraz

BACKGROUND

The present study was carried out to assess the effects of community nutrition intervention based on advocacy approach on malnutrition status among school-aged children in Shiraz, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This case-control nutritional intervention has been done between 2008 and 2009 on 2897 primary and secondary school boys and girls (7-13 years old) based on advocacy approach in Shiraz, Iran. The project provided nutritious snacks in public schools over a 2-year period along with advocacy oriented actions in order to implement and promote nutritional intervention. For evaluation of effectiveness of the intervention growth monitoring indices of pre- and post-intervention were statistically compared.

RESULTS

The frequency of subjects with body mass index lower than 5% decreased significantly after intervention among girls (P = 0.02). However, there were no significant changes among boys or total population. The mean of all anthropometric indices changed significantly after intervention both among girls and boys as well as in total population. The pre- and post-test education assessment in both groups showed that the student's average knowledge score has been significantly increased from 12.5 ± 3.2 to 16.8 ± 4.3 (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the potential success and scalability of school feeding programs in Iran. Community nutrition intervention based on the advocacy process model is effective on reducing the prevalence of underweight specifically among female school aged children.