L.O. Amusa

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

BackgroundNo information exists on the nutritional status of primary school children residing in Makurdi, Nigeria. It is envisaged that the data could serve as baseline data for future studies, as well as inform public health policy. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among urban school children in Makurdi, Nigeria.MethodsHeight and weight of 2015 (979 boys and 1036 girls), aged 9-12 years, attending public primary school in Makurdi were measured and the body mass index (BMI) calculated. Anthropometric indices of weight-for-age (WA) and height-for-age (HA) were used to estimate the childrens nutritional status. The BMI thinness classification was also calculated.ResultsUnderweight (WAZ < -2) and stunting (HAZ < -2) occurred in 43.4% and 52.7%, respectively. WAZ and HAZ mean scores of the children were -0.91(SD = 0.43) and -0.83 (SD = 0.54), respectively. Boys were more underweight (48.8%) than girls (38.5%), and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.024; p < 0.05). Conversely, girls tend to be more stunted (56.8%) compared to boys (48.4%) (p = 0.004; p < 0.05). Normal WAZ and HAZ occurred in 54.6% and 44.2% of the children, respectively. Using the 2007 World Health Organisation BMI thinness classification, majority of the children exhibited Grade 1 thinness (77.3%), which was predominant at all ages (9-12 years) in both boys and girls. Gender wise, 79.8% boys and 75.0% girls fall within the Grade I thinness category. Based on the WHO classification, severe malnutrition occurred in 31.3% of the children.ConclusionsThere is severe malnutrition among the school children living in Makurdi. Most of the children are underweight, stunted and thinned. As such, providing community education on environmental sanitation and personal hygienic practices, proper child rearing, breast-feeding and weaning practices would possibly reverse the trends.

Advertisement and knowledge of tobacco products among Ellisras rural children aged 11 to 18 years: Ellisras Longitudinal study

BackgroundTobacco products use is the leading cause of chronic diseases morbidity and mortality. This study explores an exposure to tobacco advertisements factors and knowledge, an association with snuff/pipe usage and cigarette smoking among Ellisras rural children aged between 11 to 18 years.MethodsA total of 1654 subjects (854 boys and 800 girls) who were part of the Ellisras Longitudinal Study completed the questionnaire.ResultsA significant (p < 0.05) number of boys (11.7%) compared to girls (8.8%) received free cigarettes from the members of the community. Bill boards were successful in advertising tobacco products among the Ellisras rural boys (17% boys and 12.8% for girls, p < 0.022). Multivariate analyses found significant association between cigarette smoking (OR = 1.7 95%CI 1.1-2.7 and Model 2 OR 1.6 95%CI 1.0-2.6 adjusted for age and gender) and advertisements of tobacco products on the TV screens, videos or movies.ConclusionsExposure to tobacco products advertisements was high among Ellisras rural children. Though tobacco products legislation exists in South Africa, efforts should be taken by the health professionals to emphasize the danger of using tobacco products even among the illiterate. Teachers and parents should refrain from advertising tobacco products at schools and at homes.

Screening for total and abdominal obesity among university of Venda students

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the factors related to health-related quality of life (HRQL) in ambulatory chronic stroke survivors in Jamaica. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial done to determine the effects of aerobic exercise on HRQL. Persons included had completed formal rehabilitation and were able to walk with or without an assistive device. HRQL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36) , functional status using the Barthel Index and the Older American Resource and Services Questionnaire (OARS), grip strength using a dynamometer, lower extremity using the Motricity Index, depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale and endurance using the six minute walk test. Data were analyzed using the t’test, correlation coefficient and linear regression. Results: 128 persons participated (mean age: 64 years; mean time post stroke: 12 months). The Physical Health Component (PHC) of the SF-36 was positively associated with distance walked in six minutes (r=.395; p<.000), grip strength on the affected side (r=.309; p<.000) lower limb strength on the affected side (r=.287; p=.001), Barthel Index (r=.253; p=.004), OARS (r=.378; p<.000) and depressive symptoms (p=-.353; p=.000). The Mental Health Component was significantly related to GDS (r=-.391; p=.000) and unaffected side lower limb strength(r=.251; p=.004). Socio-demographic factors were not significantly related to HRQL. Six minute walk distance and GDS scores were independent predictors of the PHC of SF-36. Conclusions: In ambulatory stroke survivors in Jamaica, motor impairment, endurance and depression affect HRQL long after stroke onset. Strategies to address these could impact HRQL positively. Biography Gordon obtained her PhD from the University of the West Indies and is presently a lecturer and the Director of Physical Therapy Programmes at the University. She has over 25 years experience as a physical therapist and has published in peerreviewed journals. carron.gordon02@uwimona.edu.jmZhanmei Liu, is a professor of chemical engineering. She has completed her Ph.D from Guangdong University of Technology China. She has also completed her research scholar studies from UC Berkeley. She is the Deputy dean of the college of chemistry and chemical engineering . She has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals and serving as deputy secretary-general of biochemical Engineering Association of Guangdong. Effect of the compound from Bombyx Batryticatus on mouse melanoma cell line B16-F10The importance of total body fat and distribution has been stressed as a major risk factor for both adults and children. There is paucity of information concerning total and abdominal obesity among university students in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to screen for total and abdominal obesity among university of Venda health sciences students, using the proxy measures of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). A stratified random sample of 389 (199 males and 199 females) university students aged 19-24 years, participated in the study. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured using standard techniques. Body mass index was calculated by dividing body mass by stature in meters squared. The WHO criteria were used to determine BMI categories, while WHtR was calculated by dividing waist circumference (in cm) by stature (in cm). A WHtR ≤ 0.50 was used to determine abdominal obesity. The mean age, BMI and WHtR of the participants were 20.8±2.1, 23.8±4.6 and 0.54±0.1, respectively. Overall, 7.5%, 21.4% and 11.1% of the students were underweight, overweight and obese, respectively. The percentage of students who were overweight was higher in females (11.7%) than males (9.7%), whereas obesity occurred more among the males (6.2%) compared with the females (4.9%). Underweight was 4.4% and 3.1% for females and males, respectively. A total of 102 students (19.2%) had central obesity as determined by WHtR. The proportion of males with a WHtR ≥ 0.5 was 59 (11.1%), while females were 43 (8.1%), with the males having statistically significant (p=0.001) WHtR compared to females. The prevalence of total and abdominal obesity is high among the University of Venda students; which is worrisome, given the health consequences of excessive body fat. Intervention measures should be instituted to address the rising trend of overweight and obesity in the students.

Body fat percentage of urban South African children: implications for health and fitness.

This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study of pregnant mothers who delivered in four randomly selected health facilities in urban Abeokuta, Nigeria. The study examined the influence of maternal nutritional status on newborn birth weight and particularly low birth weight (LBW). Five hundred and twelve pregnant mothers booked for antenatal care and were attending antenatal clinics were recruited for the study as they became available. Complete physical examination, clinical profile along with weight, biochemical and haematological measurements were carried out. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The mean weight gain of the pregnant mothers in this study was 7.78 ± 1.01 kg. Weight gain in pregnancy, maternal haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, serum cholesterol and serum albumin were all found to be significant for LBW (p<0.001). Maternal nutritional status impacted significantly on newborn birth weight as poorly nourished mothers were observed to produce a higher percentage of LBW babies when compared to those who were better nourished.Background Whilst there seem to be available data on blood pressure profiles of South African children, especially in urban areas, few data exist on rural children. The aims of this study were to determine the blood pressure profiles of rural South African children residing in Thohoyandou; and to examine the relationship between body mass index and blood pressure among the children. Methods: The study involved 296 (134 boys and 135 girls) children aged 7–13 years. Body weight and height were measured using standard procedures. Overweight was defined by body mass index (BMI) for gender and age. Blood pressure was monitored in each child thrice using validated electronic devices (Omron 7051T). Hypertension was determined as the average of three separate blood pressure readings where the systolic or diastolic blood pressure was ≥ 90th percentile for age and sex. Results: Overweight among the girls (4.7%) was higher compared with the boys (3.9%). Both systolic and diastolic pressures (SBP and DBP) increase with age in both sexes. The proportion of children with > 90th percentile occur at only ages 12 and 13 years. The incidence of hypertension (SBP > 90th percentile) was 0.4% and 0.2% in boys and girls, respectively. The SBP and DBP pressures significantly (P<0.05) correlate with age; body mass, height and BMI. Conclusion: Elevated blood pressure is prevalent among rural South African children residing in this region. Also, blood pressure increased with age in both boys and girls, and this positively correlated with age, body weight, height and BMI.O is a growing problem in the child and adolescent population, and physicians are increasingly looking for new, safe, and effective interventions. Particularly concerning is the trend of overweight children being increasingly prescribed psychotropic medications, particularly atypical antipsychotics, that can lead to further weight gain. In recent years, pharmacologic treatment for weight has been considered for severe and refractory cases. We present two cases of obese adolescents who achieved weight loss with the addition of zonisamide, an anticonvulsant. The first case is a morbidly obese adolescent male who had remarkable weight loss during 3 months of inpatient hospitalization. The patient initially had a dramatic weight loss from 301 kg to 213.4 kg. This could be attributed to many factors, including the addition of appetite suppressing medications (topiramate and methylphenidate) as well as a structured environment and monitored nutritional intake. However, his weight loss plateaued. The addition of zonisamide correlated with an additional weight loss for a final weight of 202.76 kg, which is an additional 10.64 kg. We present a second case of an obese adolescent who initially presented to an inpatient psychiatric unit with a high-BMI of 37.8 (126.8 kg). He was started on zonisamide and a steady decrease in weight and BMI was noted through four months of outpatient follow-up, with his most recent BMI being 31.7 (106.2 kg). We discuss the potential use of zonisamide for weight loss in obese adolescents, particularly in patients who are prescribed psychotropic medications. We also consider the potential risks and benefits in this patient population. Michael Shapiro, J Obes Weight Loss Ther 2013, 3:7 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2165-7904.S1.011Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to identify high risk groups in tomorrow’s health professional. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted [March to December 2012] in six different institutes in Karachi, Pakistan. Data were collected from undergraduate students of medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy and nursing through self-administered questionnaires, followed by anthropometric measurements. Actual weight categories were defined by using South Asian cut-off points for body mass index (BMI). Overweight and obesity was defined as BMI ≥23.0 (South Asian BMI cutoff points). Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Sheffield, UK and Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with overweight and obesity. Results: Of 2114 participating students, 12.6% were overweight and 17% obese. Participants who underestimated body weight were more likely to be overweight or obese [OR=13.18 (95% C.I: 8.22 to 21.11)] than participants with correct estimation of weight. Similarly, overweight and obesity was more likely among participants with incorrect information of personal BMI [OR=1.91 (95% C.I: 1.21 to 3.01)]. In particular, overweight and obesity was more likely among participants who experienced weight stigmatization [OR=2.36 (95% C.I: 1.44 to 3.84)]. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity was highly prevalent among undergraduate students of medicine and allied health sciences in Karachi with nearly one third of respondents had weight above normal limit. The factors which contribute toward overweight and obesity include underestimation of weight, lack of personal BMI knowledge and weight stigmatization. Sajid Mahmood et al., J Obes Weight Loss Ther 2013, 3:7 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2165-7904.S1.011

Determining the comfortable skipping frequency in school age children in Benin Republic

Skipping is a sportive activity consisting of relative jumping cycles of skipping rope round the body. The main purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between heart rate (HR) and skipping frequency in children, using a regression analysis. A second objective was to determine the intensity corresponding to the lowest heart rate and least energy cost of rope skipping. A Repeated ANOVA design requiring the subjects to perform skipping at three different trials and at five different intensities (Scales) was used. To achieve these objectives, the skipping frequency at which each of the 87 school children aged 12.5 ± 2.5 years felt at ease, was gradually increased according to a five- intensity scales or frequencies (Preferred, -10%, +10%, -20% and +20%), and randomly applied at three minutes interval. HR was determined at rest and during rope skipping using the polar HR monitor. The comfortable skipping frequency was determined following three steps and in three days using the standard procedure. Data were analysed using ANOVA repeated measures and a second degree polynomial regression analysis. The results indicate that there is a comfortable skipping frequency (CSF) corresponding to the lowest HR. This CSF was reached at 116± 2 skips.min-1 in the study group. The subjects that maintained a stable skipping rhythm showed better physiological and mechanical results. The study concludes that the attainment of a CSF leads to lower HR;. rope skipping could therefore be recommended as an inexpensive sportive activity that could be used to develop fitness in children. For a clearer understanding of what happens during this activity it is recommended that maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 and max) the electro myographic (EMG) activity of the main muscles involved in the activity must be studied to buttress the results of the study.

Physical growth and educational achievement of rural South African children: Ellisras longitudinal growth and health study

The purpose of this study was to report the relationship between physical growth and the educational achievements of the rural South African children. A total of 1033 children (569 boys and 464 girls) in grades 4 to 8 (aged 7-14 years), who were part of the Ellisras Longitudinal Study, participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements of height and weight, were carried out according to the protocol of the International society for the advancement of Kinanthropometry. Educational Achievement Tests for Mathematics and English obtained from the Human Sciences Research Council (1995) were administered to the children. All children performed poorly in both English and Mathematics with the latter being worse throughout the grades. The results of the linear regression analysis showed that height and weight were positively related to both English and Mathematics performances (r ranged between 0 and 0.12). The study prompts further investigation into other factors such as curriculum and teaching environment and intellectual development which could influence childrens educational achievement. Key Words: Educational achievement, English and Mathematics, anthropometry, physical growth rural South African children. AJPHERD Vol.10(4) 2004: 317-325