Abstract
<i>Objectives: </i> To determine the socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics of 9-11 years old children in relation to their tuck-shop purchasing habits. <i>Methods: </i> A cross-sectional research design using a pre-designed questionnaire was administered to Grades 3, 4 & 5 children and two tuck shop managers from group A schools. Weight and height were measured through standardized techniques and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. BMI was interpreted in relation to tuck-shop purchasing habits. The distributions of blood pressure by anthropometric characteristics were examined. Mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Chi square were used for statistical analysis using SPSS 20.0 software. <i>Results: </i> The sample comprised 53.01% females (n = 334) and 46.98% males (n = 296). The children’s mean age was 9.8 (± 0.44) years, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 20.5 (± 4.6) kg/m<sup>2</sup> for girls and 19.7 (± 4.9) kg/m<sup>2</sup> for boys. Basing on BMI, 27% of the male subjects were predominantly overweight, whereas 28.4% of the female subjects were more prone to obesity. Out of the total population, 26.4% of the children reported that they frequently purchase from the tuckshop. There was a positive significant (<i>p</i> <0.013) association existed between the BMI and the frequency of purchasing from the tuckshop. Purchasing times continued to be unassociated to perceived health status despite that items purchased and age were inversely associated students’ food consumption (Item purchased: OR= 1.12, CI= 1.03 – 1.13, p = 0.001; Age OR= 1.06, CI= 1.02 – 1.12, p = 0.001) An average of USD$0.50 or ZAR5 is spent by children at the tuck-shop on a daily basis. Conclusion: Poor tuck-shop purchasing practices by primary school children contribute to the development of childhood overweight and obesity. Despite, schools covering nutrition in their educational curriculum, their tuck shops stocked poor nutritional quality items which were used to generate revenue/profit. Therefore, school management has a vital role in imposing restrictions over trading of unhealthy items to school children. Also, there is need to improve the nutrition educational curriculum in lower grade levels to ensure that they adopt healthier purchasing practices.
Highlights
The levels of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Zimbabwe are increasing [1]
Primary School Children in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe in males increased from 17.0% in 2010 to 19.0% in 2013 while; among females, overweight rates maintained 11.0% in 2010 and 2013
The study revealed that among adolescents; the males overweight rates increased from 4.3% in 2010 to 4.4% in 2013; among females, overweight rates were maintained at 19.0% in 2010 and 2013
Summary
The levels of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Zimbabwe are increasing [1]. A recent study comparing data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Bank (WB) in 2010 and 2013 indicates upward trend in the level of overweight and obesity among Zimbabwean children and adolescents [5]. The study revealed that in 2002, males and females aged 5-14 years who were overweight were 15.3% and 15.4% respectively. Among the children aged 5-9 years, the rates of overweight. Primary School Children in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe in males increased from 17.0% in 2010 to 19.0% in 2013 while; among females, overweight rates maintained 11.0% in 2010 and 2013. The study revealed that among adolescents; the males overweight rates increased from 4.3% in 2010 to 4.4% in 2013; among females, overweight rates were maintained at 19.0% in 2010 and 2013. Overweight and obesity may be independently, or may, interact, contributing to elevated blood pressure or hypertension among children and adolescents [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
