Abstract
BackgroundThe continued existence of undernutrition, associated with a steady increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, necessitates identification of factors contributing to this double burden of disease, in order for effective treatment and prevention programmes to be planned.AimTo determine the nutritional status of 13–15-year-old children in Bloemfontein and its association with socioeconomic factors.SettingBloemfontein, Free State Province, South Africa (2006).MethodsThis was a cross-sectional analytical study. Randomly selected children (n = 415) completed structured questionnaires on socioeconomic status. The children's weight and height were measured and body mass index-for-age and height-for-age z-scores were computed according to World Health Organization growth standards in order to determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight, obesity and stunting. Waist circumference was measured to classify the children as having a high or very high risk for metabolic disease.ResultsOf the 415 children who consented to participate in the study, 14.9% were wasted and 3.4% were severely wasted. Only 6% of the children were overweight/obese. Significantly more boys (23.0%) were wasted than girls (10%) and severe stunting was also significantly higher in boys than in girls (10.3% and 4.2%, respectively). Children whose parents had graduate occupations were significantly more overweight/obese than those with parents working in skilled occupations. Stunting was significantly higher in low (31.4%) and medium (30.4%) socioeconomic groups compared to the high socioeconomic group (18.1%).ConclusionA coexistence of underweight and overweight was found and gender and parental occupation were identified as being predictors of nutritional status.
Highlights
The prevalence of obesity amongst children in developing countries is increasing and childhood obesity has become a serious public health challenge of the 21st century
Malnutrition in childhood and adolescence can lead to growth retardation and delays in sexual maturation, amongst others,[7] whilst overweight and obesity may lead to a number of chronic illnesses such as hyperlipidaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, hypertension and early atherosclerosis emerging in childhood rather than in adulthood.[8,9]
The current study aims to make a contribution to this body of evidence in a South African setting
Summary
The prevalence of obesity amongst children in developing countries is increasing and childhood obesity has become a serious public health challenge of the 21st century. Countries undergoing rapid economic development, such as Brazil, China and South Africa, are experiencing a double burden of both under- and overnutrition.[1,2,3] undernutrition, which is caused by energy and micronutrient deficiencies, shows a decline in many parts of the world, it is still increasing in most parts of Africa.[4] The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in African countries, on the other hand, are showing a pattern similar to that of developed countries.[4] It is estimated that by the year 2015, non-communicable diseases resulting from overnutrition will overtake undernutrition as a leading cause of death in developing countries.[5,6] Both undernutrition and overnutrition are known to have undesirable health effects. The continued existence of undernutrition, associated with a steady increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, necessitates identification of factors contributing to this double burden of disease, in order for effective treatment and prevention programmes to be planned
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