Nutritional Status Of Children Research Articles

Pattern Of Breast Feeding, Weaning And Nutritional Status Of Under Five Children Of Working Mothers Of Bangladesh Armed Forces

Background: Adequate nutrition is essential in early childhood to ensure healthy growth, proper organ formation and function, a strong immune system, and neurological and cognitive development. The objective of the study is to assess the pattern of breast feeding, weaning and dietary behavior of under-five children of working mothers attended Child Welfare Centre (CWC), Malobika and Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at CWC, Malobika and Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka over a period of six months from July 2017 to December 2017. All under-five years old sick children of employed mothers of Bangladesh Armed Forces attended CWC Malobika and CMH, Dhaka were included in the study and mothers were the respondents. Total 130 children were selected purposively for the study. Data were analyzed by using SPSS (statistical package for social sciences), version 25.0. The level of significance was set at 5% and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Majority (92.3%) of the children was nutritionally normal in terms Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC). Only 10(7.7%) children was malnourished; of them 6(4.6%) were severely malnourished and 4(3.1%) were moderately malnourished. In terms of Weight for Age Z score (WAZ) 3.1% were severe underweight and another 3.1% were moderate underweight. In terms of Height for Age Z score (HAZ), 5.4% were severely stunted and 6.2% were moderately stunted, while with respect to Weight for Height Z score (WHZ), 2.3% were severely wasted and 7.7% were moderately wasted. Conclusion: Nutritional status in children of working mothers of Armed Forces at Dhaka Garrison was high compared to the national figure. Bangladesh Armed Forces Med J Vol 56 No (1) June 2023, pp 35-41

Impact of community nutrition project on malnutrition in children under five: a case of SPRING Ghana project

This study examines the effects of the Strengthening Partnership, Results, and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING) project on malnutrition, stunting, acute malnutrition, and underweight among children under the age of five. The project was implemented in the northern and upper-East regions of Ghana in 2014 and ended in December 2017. We employed the Difference-in-Difference (DID) estimation approach to analyze the project's impact. Our analysis showed a strong positive association between the project's effect on the probability of stunting and underweight by 11% (p=0.01) and 9% (p=0.003), respectively, in the treated regions compared with the untreated regions. However, we found no evidence of the project’s effect on acute malnutrition. We also provide suggestive evidence that the project may have influenced child nutrition status through antenatal care attendance. This study demonstrated that tackling child nutrition deficiencies through an integrated holistic approach, such as early Antenatal Care (ANC) attendance, increased access to high-quality foods, improving women's nutrition knowledge, and improving agricultural practices, can significantly reduce childhood stunting and underweight.

Revisiting swimming against tide; inequalities in child malnutrition in Nepal

BackgroundChild stunting, child underweight, and child wasting in Nepal decreased from 48%, 47%, and 11% to 25%, 19%, and 9%, respectively, between 1996 and 2022. Despite an overall reduction in prevalence rates, economically poor and geographically backward regions in Nepal have not seen equivalent improvement in child undernutrition similar to their richer and developed regions, leading to increased differences in undernutrition prevalence across the wealth quintiles. This study aimed to assess time trends in the average and inequality of child nutritional status by household wealth across Nepal's geographical spaces from 1996 to 2022.MethodsThis study utilized data from four rounds (1996, 2006, 2016, and 2022) of the Nepal Demographics and Health Survey (NDHS). The nutritional status of children below three years of age, measured by stunting, wasting, and underweight, served as the main dependent variable. Household wealth status, determined by binary responses regarding possession of household assets, acted as a proxy for economic status. The study employed point prevalence for average, Concentration Index (CI), Poorest-Richest-Ratio (P-R-R), and Poorer-Richer-Ratio (Pr-Rr-R) to analyze trends in child nutritional status by wealth quintiles.ResultsFrom 1996 to 2022, Nepal exhibited an increasing Concentration Index and an upward trend in P-R-R measures of inequality in child stunting. The P-R-R increased from 1.77 in 1996 to 2.51 in 2022, However, results show a concurrent decrease in Pr-Rr-R from 1.19 to 1.18, assessing the prevalence of stunting among children. In the prevalence of child underweight, the P-R-R and Pr-Rr-R were 1.88 and 1.19 in 1996, decreasing to 1.47 and 1.10, respectively, in 2022.ConclusionThe results indicated that inequalities in child nutrition across wealth status show an increase in stunting but marginal decline in underweight and wasting. Therefore, the study underscores the need for inclusive policy and program interventions to achieve equitable improvement in child stunting in Nepal, ensuring that progress extends to children in the poorest wealth quintile households. However, the progress is equitable in child underweight and wasting.

Association of child marriage and nutritional status of mothers and their under-five children in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study with a nationally representative sample

BackgroundChild marriage remains an important problem around the world with young mothers and their under-five children often experiencing under-nutrition. The problem is rarely studied in the Bangladeshi population. This paper was designed to identify the association between child marriage and nutritional status of mothers and their under-five children in Bangladesh.MethodsNationally representative secondary data was used for this study, data was extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017–18. The sample consisted of 7235 mothers aged 18–49 years and their under-five children. The mothers were classified into two classes according to their age at first marriage: (i) child marriage (marriage at < 18 years) and (ii) not child marriage (marriage at ≥ 18 years). The nutritional status of mothers was measured by body mass index (BMI), and under-five children’s nutritional status was measured by (i) height-for-age (z-score) (stunting), (ii) weight-for-age (z-score) (underweight), and (iii) weight-for-height (z-score) (wasting). The chi-square test and two-level logistic regression model were used for data analysis using SPSS software (IBM version 20).ResultsThe prevalence of child marriage among Bangladeshi women was 69.0%, with the mean and median of age at the first marriage being 16.57 ± 2.83 years and 16 years, respectively. Of the mothers, 15.2% suffered from chronic energy deficiency (underweight), and 72.8% were married at < 18 years. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting among under-five children in Bangladesh was 31.0%, 22.0%, and 8.5%, respectively. Compared to women married at the age of ≥ 18 years, there was a significantly higher likelihood of chronic energy deficiency among women who married at < 18 years [Adjusted OR = 1.27, CI: 1.05–1.82; p < 0.05]. Under-five children of mothers married before the age of 18 were more likely to have stunting [Adjusted OR = 1.201, CI: 1.11–1.72; p < 0.05], wasting [Adjusted OR = 1.519, CI: 1.15-2.00; p < 0.01], and underweight [Adjusted OR = 1.150, CI: 1.09–1.82; p < 0.05] compared to children of mothers who married at age ≥ 18.ConclusionThe rate of child marriage among Bangladeshi women is high, and it is significantly associated with malnutrition among mothers and their under-five children. The Bangladesh government can use the findings of this study to prevent and reduce child marriage and malnutrition among mothers and their under-five children to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030.

GERAKAN ORANG TUA ASUH MENGATASI STUNTING

The incidence of stunting in Liliba Village, Oebobo Subdistrict, Kupang City, recorded 185 children experiencing stunting. There are 20 malnourished children and 70 undernourished children. Methods of stunting education and foster parent program to overcome stunting. Activities were carried out in May-August 2023. Activities were carried out in the Liliba sub-district of Kupang City. The activity results are Child A's nutritional status before the foster parent movement: body weight 11.3 kg, TB 82.6, and Lila 14.5. After 90 days of feeding, the weight was 12.4 kg, TB 85.8, and Lila 15.4. For Child J, the nutritional status of Child A before the foster parent movement was 9 kg, TB 75.3, and Lila 14.5. After 90 days of feeding, the weight was 9.1 kg, TB 78.1, and Lila 14.8. The results of educational activities are that parents' knowledge of Posyandu Jasmine 12 increased. The knowledge test results found that most participants had good knowledge before education, namely 50%. After education, 80% of family knowledge about stunting is excellent. Education about stunting is excellent for families to prevent stunting. The OTA2S program has a good impact on the nutritional status of stunted children.

Determinants of severe acute malnutrition among children less than five years visiting health centers in Leqa Dulacha District, East Wallaga Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia: A case control study.

In underdeveloped nations like Ethiopia, severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is one of the most pressing public health issues. Despite efforts to pinpoint the causes of SAM, the impact of parents' drug usage on their children's nutritional status remains unclear and unresolved. The purpose of this research was to determine the risk factors for SAM in children under five who were attending medical facilities in the Leqa Dulacha district. A health facility-based case-control study was carried out from March 1 to July 30, 2022, with 256 children under the age of five. Random sampling was used to identify study participants in a methodical manner. Mothers and other child caretakers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were performed using standardized, calibrated equipment. Epi-data version 3.1 was used to code and enter the data, and it was then exported to IBM SPSS for analysis. An analysis of multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted, and the measure of association employed was the adjusted odds ratio (AOR), with a 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 96.5% of respondents responded. SAM in children was significantly correlated with the following factors: parent alcohol consumption [AOR = 3.142; 95% CI = (1.104, 8.945)]; child illness in the previous 15 days [AOR = 4.122; 95% CI = (1.686, 10.07)]; poor dietary diversity [AOR = 3.044; 95% CI = (1.189, 7.788)]; household food insecurity [AOR = 4.024; 95% CI = (1.544, 10.490)]; and parent chewing chat [AOR = 3.484; 95% CI = (1.329, 9.134)]. A number of factors have been linked to SAM in children, including the use of health services, the child's illness within the previous 15 days, food security, child feeding practices, and parent substance use. Therefore, it is important to emphasize the value of health education programs on child feeding habits, particularly the significance of dietary diversity, and to work together to modify the way that parents raise their children.

FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI PRAKTIK IBU DALAM PEMBERIAN MAKANAN BAGI BALITA USIA 12-60 BULAN BERSTATUS GIZI KURANG DI WILAYAH PUSKESMAS LENGKONG KABUPATEN NGANJUK

Nutritional status in children under five is closely related to various factors, including maternal age, maternal education, family income, maternal nutritional knowledge, maternal attitudes and maternal practices in providing food. This study aims to determine the factors that influence mothers' practices in providing food to toddlers aged 12-60 months with malnutrition status in the Lengkong Community Health Center area. Method The type of research is quantitative research, with a cross sectional study approach. The research sample was mothers who had toddlers aged 12-60 months with malnutrition, a total of 30 children taken using purposive sampling. Nutritional status data based on anthropometric measurements of BW/U is compared with the WHO_NCHS Z-score value. Data analysis was carried out using univariate analysis and bivariate analysis. The results of bivariate analysis showed mother's age (p= 0.713), mother's last education (p=0.015), family income (p=0.256). maternal nutritional knowledge (p-0333), and maternal attitude (p=0.006). Meanwhile, from the multivariate analysis, it was found that maternal education (p=0.216), maternal family income (p=0.462) and maternal attitude (p=0.998). Based on the results of the multivariate analysis, the mother's attitude factor is the factor that has the most influence on the malnutrition status of children under five because the value obtained is &lt;0.998. The discussion of factors that influence mothers' practices in providing food for toddlers with low nutritional status is due to the characteristics of the mother, education and family income), knowledge and attitudes. In conclusion, it can be concluded that there are three factors that influence mothers' practices in providing food for toddlers aged 12-60 months with malnutrition status, namely maternal education, family income and maternal attitudes.

The Relationship of Mother's Knowledge Level And Mp-Asi Feeding Patterns and Baby's Nutritional Status Age 6-12 Months at Rantang Health Center

The toddler period is a very important period and needs serious attention. During this period the life process of growth and development takes place very rapidly, namely physical growth and psychomotor, mental and social development. The nutritional status of children under five is an important thing that must be known by every parent. Mothers play an important role in supporting efforts to overcome nutritional problems, especially in terms of family nutrition, starting from food preparation, selection of food ingredients, to the food menu. Mothers who have good nutritional status will give birth to well-nourished children. Lack of parental nutrition and health knowledge, especially mothers is one of the causes of malnutrition in children under five. Mother's knowledge about nutrition is what the mother knows about healthy food for a certain age group and how the mother chooses, processes and prepares food properly. The aim is to determine the relationship between the mother's level of knowledge and the pattern of complementary feeding of breast milk on the nutritional status of toddlers 6-12 months in the working area of the Rantang Health Center, Sei Putih Tengah Village, Medan Petisah District, North Sumatra. This type of research is an analytic method with a cross sectional approach. The sample in this study were all children aged 6-12 months inti the Rantang Health Center, namely 54 children. Bivariate analysis used the Chi-Square (?2) statistical test. The results of the statistical test obtained a p value of 0.002 (? &lt;0.05), which means that there is a relationship, namely the relationship between maternal nutritional knowledge regarding the pattern of giving complementary foods and the nutritional status of toddlers aged 6-24 months

Open Defecation, Livestock Ownership, and Child Nutritional Status in India.

South Asian children are among the most severely malnourished worldwide. One prominent hypothesis is that open defecation in the local area exposes children to human fecal pathogens that can cause diarrhea and malnutrition. Much of the existing research uses district-level measures of open defecation, which could mask important local-area variation. A second hypothesis is that animal fecal matter is a major source of exposure. This analysis tested these dual hypotheses using census data collected from 949 villages in Tamil Nadu, India, and a survey conducted in a random sample of 5,000 households in the same area. The final analytic sample consisted of 2,561 children aged 0-10 years. We estimated the association between the measures of village- and household-level open defecation, household livestock ownership, and child height-for-age Z-scores in a regression framework, controlling for potential confounders. Results revealed that village- and household-level open defecations are negatively associated with child height. There was an estimated difference of approximately 0.5 height-for-age Z-score between children living in villages with no open defecation and children in villages where all households practiced open defecation (P = 0.001) and a 0.2 Z-score difference between children living in households that practiced open defecation and those living in households that did not (P = 0.001). Livestock ownership was not associated with child height. Overall, the findings provide evidence on the centrality of open defecation in explaining persistent child malnutrition in India and the higher risk of exposure to human fecal pathogens compared with animal feces in the south Indian context.

Growth patterns of 11 to 29-month-old children consuming young child formula: secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled study.

The impact of young child formula (YCF) consumption on children's growth, particularly under sub-optimal conditions, has scarcely been studied. In the current study, weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ) and BMI-for-age (BAZ) z-score development was evaluated in children from five different countries (n = 668) who participated in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. The children (1-3 years old) were randomized to one of two intervention YCFs (with presence or absence of prebiotics and n-3 LCPUFAs) during 52 weeks of intervention. Additional stratified analyses evaluated the growth patterns of underweight, overweight, or stunted children. No apparent differences in anthropometric measurements were observed between the intervention groups. In both YCF intervention groups, mean WAZ, LAZ and BAZ development was indicative for an adequate growth during the intervention period. Stratified analyses showed a stable WAZ and BAZ development among children with a healthy weight or overweight at baseline. Among underweight and stunted children normalization in mean weight (⁓1SD) and length (⁓0.8SD) gain, respectively, was observed. The current study suggests that consumption of YCF, either or not containing prebiotics and n-3 LCPUFAs, is associated with adequate growth among young children. This association may depend on the child's baseline nutritional status. Future studies to assess the potential role of YCF in supporting adequate weight/length gain among children at-risk for undernutrition are warranted.

Assessment of Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status of Children (0-23 Months) Accessing Care in Community Infant and Young Child Feeding (C-IYCF) Practices in Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital Kano

Introduction: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices have substantial outcomes for the growth, development, and survival of infants and children during the first two years of age and throughout their lifetime. The study aimed to assess the dietary intake and nutritional status of children (0–23 months) registered for care in Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital Kano. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 125 randomly selected caregiver-child pairs accessing care in the hospital. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and dietary intake information from the respondents. Anthropometric indices of weight for age, length for age, and weight for length measurements were used to assess the nutritional status of children. Result: Female caregivers were the most participants in this study 122 (98.2%). For marital status, almost all 124 (99.4%) of the mothers were married and only 1 each of the mothers reported to be single and being widowed. About 76 (60.8%) of the study population attended secondary education. The major occupation of the caregivers is trading in 92.4%. Dietary intake consists mainly of legumes in 30.0% and cereals in 56.5%. Only 39.0% portion of the population met the minimum World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of dietary diversity and over 79.8% of the caregivers were still breastfeeding during the period of the study, 18% of them initiated breastfeeding within 1 h of birth and only 16.2% exclusively breastfed their children; majority 70.6% of the caregivers breastfed on demand while with a small proportion of 26.1% and 3.3% responded to breastfeeding when convenient and breastfeeding at a scheduled time respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed that the nutritional status of the children was poor. Up to 60 (51.2%), 98 (88.3%), and 74 (65.1%) of the infants were wasted, underweight, and stunted, respectively. The study also revealed that the nutritional status of the children (WLZ, WAZ, and LAZ) was significantly related to the dietary diversity at p = 0.002, p = 0.001, and p = 0.019, respectively. This study revealed poor IYCF practices in Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital Kano. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to the specific behaviors surrounding feeding practices and other constraints to children accessing care in Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital Kano.

Nutritional status of children with neurodevelopmental disorders: a cross-sectional study at a tertiary-level hospital in northern Bangladesh

BackgroundMalnutrition in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) is a significant global public health issue. Nutritional assessment combined with management or advice are essential to produce optimal outcomes.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to assess nutritional status and the sociodemographic profile of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Bangladesh.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from December to April 2020 among the population of children with NDDs who presented to the pediatric department of the TMSS Medical College and Rafatullah Community Hospital in Bogura during this period. Socio-demographic data along with anthropometric measurements of the children were taken. Assessment of nutritional status were made using metrics such as z-scores for weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and body mass index-for-age (BAZ). Descriptive statistics (number and percentage) and analytical statistics (chi-square and logistic regression) were included.Results58.6% of children displayed malnutrition, with 47.8% showing undernutrition (WHZ / BAZ − 1 SD-≤-3 SD), and 10.8% overnutrition (BAZ > 2SD). Significant negative associations were found between malnutrition and parental education level, urban residency, and monthly family income. Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy exhibited twice the likelihood to be malnourished (AOR 2.39, 95% CI 0.83–6.87). Furthermore, residing in rural regions was associated with an increased risk of experiencing malnutrition, as indicated by an adjusted odds ratio of 1.60 (95% CI 0.12–3.09).ConclusionsWhile the results are cross-sectional, over half of children with NDDs were found to be malnourished, suggesting that children with NDD in Bangladesh are vulnerable to developing any form of malnutrition. Therefore, regular assessments and timely nutritional support may improve their situation.

Maternal employment status and child age are positive determinants of minimum dietary diversity among children aged 6-23 months in Sagnarigu municipality, Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

Intake of a diversified diet is key to the prevention of malnutrition among children as it results in improved intake of energy and micronutrients, which are deemed critical for better nutritional status of children. This study assessed minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and its determinants among children aged 6-23 months in the Sagnarigu Municipality of Ghana. This was an analytical cross-sectional study, carried out in the Sagnarigu Municipality, Ghana and involved 369 mother-child pairs selected through a systematic random sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, feeding practices, nutritional knowledge and anthropometry. MDD was assessed using a repeated 24-hour dietary recall method. Chi-square/Fisher exact test and binary logistic regression analysis were used to determine the factors associated with MDD. The study found that 24.9% of the children were between the ages of 6-8 months and 75.1% were between the ages of 9-23 months. About 64.2% of the children met the MDD. Children of mothers who were self-employed were approximately 2 times more likely to meet the MDD as compared to children of mothers who were unemployed [Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR): 1.93, 95% CI (1.13-3.31), P = 0.017]. Also, children aged 9-23 months were approximately 14 times more likely to meet MDD as compared to younger children aged 6-8 months [AOR: 13.98, 95% CI (7.54-25.91), P < 0.001]. Our study suggests that maternal empowerment may have positive effects on improving the MDD of infants and young children.

Disparities with global standards about growth references of mid-upper arm circumference-for-age for Pakistani children aged 6-60 months.

Growth reference values about mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) are vital for assessing children's nutritional status. However, Pakistan lacks these reference values and growth charts. This study aims to develop these for children aged 6-60 months and compare them with global standards. The data were acquired from the 2018 National Nutrition Survey of Pakistan, which was conducted by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) during 2018-2019. The final study cohort comprised 57 285 children, with 51% being boys. Percentile values and charts for MUAC-for-age were developed using generalised additive models for location, scale and shape with the Box-Cox power exponential distribution. The mean MUAC was 14.21 cm (±2.07 cm) and 14.13 cm (±2.12 cm) for the boys and girls, respectively. At 60 months of age, the P3 and P97 percentiles for girls were slightly higher than those for boys. The median percentiles of Pakistani children were smaller than the World Health Organisation 2007 standards and with international references. We observed disparities in MUAC-for-age growth references among Pakistani children compared to global standards, highlighting regional, age and gender variations. This underscores the need for developing countries like Pakistan to establish their growth references.

Prenatal, newborn and childhood factors and the timing of puberty in boys and girls.

Our aim was to determine if prenatal factors, gestational age, birth weight and length, and childhood body mass index (BMI) are associated with the timing of puberty. Our population-based study comprised 4826 girls and 5112 boys born between 1997 and 2002. Multiple linear regression modeled the relationships between the maternal and child predictors and the age at peak height velocity (PHV). Maternal smoking throughout pregnancy was associated with earlier age at PHV (-1.8 months in girls, 95%CI = -3.2 to -0.3, p = 0.015 and -1.7 months in boys, 95%CI = -3.1 to -0.3, p = 0.016). Older gestational age predicted later age at PHV in boys. One SDS increase in birth weight led to 1.7 months later age at PHV in girls (95%CI = 1.2 to 2.2, p < 0.001) and 0.8 months in boys (95%CI = 0.2 to 1.3, p = 0.005). At the age of 9 years, each increment of BMI by 1 kg/m2 was associated with 1.7 months (95%CI = -1.9 to -1.6, p < 0.001) and 1.3 months (95%CI = -1.4 to -1.1, p < 0.001) earlier age at PHV in girls and boys, respectively. Fetal exposure to smoking can potentially exert enduring effects on pubertal timing. Birth weight and childhood nutritional status are significant determinants of pubertal timing in both sexes. Maternal smoking was associated with earlier timing of puberty and greater birth weight with later timing of puberty in both girls and boys. Most previous studies have focused on girls and used surveys to assess pubertal development, but we studied both sexes and used the same objective measure (age at peak height velocity) for the timing of puberty. Our study increases knowledge especially regarding factors associated with the timing of puberty among boys.

Associations of Ultrasound Findings with Serum Iron and Ferritin Levels in Children with Obesity.

The nutritional status of children is always a concern for medical professionals. Increasingly, obesogenic factors have created a new global epidemic. Obesity is characterized by persistent inflammation, which can have detrimental effects on the growth and development of children. Iron and ferritin are both important factors to consider when evaluating these children due to their role in the pathophysiology of chronic inflammation. Recently, ultrasonographic evaluation seems to be an increasingly used method in pediatric clinical practice. In this study, we included 98 children aged 6-14 years, 72 of whom were obese and 26 had normal weight. The data obtained indicated that there was an association between low iron and increased ferritin levels, aspects of non-alcoholic fatty liver visualized by ultrasonography, and the degree of fibrosis assessed elastographically. Ultrasonography can help us identify liver damage, but the possibility of identifying an association with other paraclinical investigations such as iron and ferritin levels can be cumulative. In this way, the assessment can be more complex, as the child benefits from comprehensive evaluation and management. The results drew attention to non-invasive, easy-to-perform, and low-cost methods of assessing obese children in terms of iron metabolism and structural liver changes.

Maternal education and its influence on child growth and nutritional status during the first two years of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The first 1000 days of life are critical for a child's health and development. Impaired growth during this period is linked to increased child morbidity, mortality, and long-term consequences. Undernutrition is the main cause, and addressing it within the first 1000 days of life is vital. Maternal education is consistently identified as a significant predictor of child undernutrition, but its specific impact remains to be determined. This study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the influence of high versus low maternal education levels on child growth from birth to age two, using population-based cohort studies. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, ERIC, and Google Scholar were searched from January 1990 to January 2024 using appropriate search terms. We included population-based cohort studies of healthy children aged two years and under and their mothers, categorizing maternal education levels. Child growth and nutritional outcomes were assessed using various indicators. Two reviewers independently conducted data extraction and assessed study quality. The Newcastle Ottawa scale was utilized for quality assessment. Random-effects models were used for meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q and I2 statistic. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed, and publication bias was evaluated. The literature search retrieved 14,295 titles, and after full-text screening of 639 reports, 35 studies were included, covering eight outcomes: weight for age z-score (WAZ), height for age z-score (HAZ), BMI for age z-scores (BMIZ), overweight, underweight, stunting, wasting, and rapid weight gain. In middle-income countries, higher maternal education is significantly associated with elevated WAZ (MD 0.398, 95% CI 0.301-0.496) and HAZ (MD 0.388, 95% CI 0.102-0.673) in children. Similarly, in studies with low-educated population, higher maternal education is significantly linked to increased WAZ (MD 0.186, 95% CI 0.078-0.294) and HAZ (0.200, 95% CI 0.036-0.365). However, in high-income and highly educated population, this association is either absent or reversed. In high-income countries, higher maternal education is associated with a non-significant lower BMI-Z (MD-0.028, 95% CI-0.061 to 0.006). Notably, this inverse association is statistically significant in low-educated populations (MD-0.045, 95% CI-0.079 to-0.011) but not in highly educated populations (MD 0.003, 95% CI-0.093 to 0.098). Maternal education's association with child growth varies based on country income and education levels. Further research is needed to understand this relationship better. This study was a student thesis supported financially by Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).

Measurement of Anthropometry of Community School Children Affected from Day Snacks

Purpose: To access the current snacking habits of community school children’s dietary habits and health status. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted in a Kathmandu community school to identify the problem of inadequate access to nutritious snacks, school choices, and regular monitoring and collaboration among the students. Used mixed methodologies, reviewed relevant day snack literatures, discussed with the school's early childhood department head, and measured height, weight, and MUAC to identify the nutrition status of children. Collected information was analysed using Ena (WHO software). Total Managl Secondary School, Kirtipur, Kathmandu participated in research n=26 (boys 16 and girls 10) and Mahendra Adarsha Secondary School, Mahalaxmi -4, Imadol, Lalitpur n=27 (boys 15 and girls 12) total numbers of participants 53 were. Findings/Results: There were (14) 63.6% boys and (8) 36.4% girls out which (2) 7.7% moderate and (1) 3.8% severe (1) 3.8% malnutrition in Mangal Secondary School where as (15) 55.6%boys and (12) 44.6% girls out of which (3) 11.1% moderate and equal (3) 11.1% severe malnutrition in Mahendra Adarsha Secondary School. There were severe wasting total (1) 4.5%, Moderate wasting (1) 4.5% and normal (20) 90.9% in Mangal Secondary School, Kirtipur -10, Kirtipur, Kathmandu whereas Moderate Wasting was (3) 11.1%, and normal (24) 88.9% were in Mahendra Adarsha Secondary School. At Mangal Secondary School, Kirtipur -10, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, the prevalence of stunting by age based on height-for-age Z-score showed severe stunting in children aged 42-53 months at 9.1%, moderate stunting at 13.6%, and normal height at 77.3%. Similarly, at Mahendra Adarsha Secondary School, Mahalaxmi -4, Imadol, Lalitpur, the total prevalence showed moderate stunting in children aged 42-53 months at 33.3% and normal height at 66.7%. Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is used for emergency and screening purposes to assess the nutritional status of children. Originality/Value: This research provides insights for policy maker to guide for improvements on Day Snacks Program. Paper Type: Research Analysis

Blood Lead Levels and Their Association with Iron Deficiency and Anemia in Children.

Lead is a ubiquitous and neurotoxic heavy metal particularly harmful to children, who are more susceptible than adults to its toxic effects. The prevalence of lead poisoning and iron deficiency (ID) is high in socioeconomically vulnerable child populations, negatively affecting neurocognitive development in children. Although numerous studies have shown the association between blood lead levels (BLL) and ID, the issue remains controversial. Here, we aimed to identify the association between BLL and iron nutritional status in children. We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study of healthy children aged 1-6 y attending periodic health checks in primary healthcare units from La Plata and its surroundings, Buenos Aires, Argentina, between 2012 and 2017. We performed anthropometric evaluations and determined BLL, hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin levels. Blood lead levels ≥ 5µg/dL were defined as elevated BLL; ferritin levels < 12 ng/ml were considered ID; Hb levels < 11g/dL (< 11.5g/dL for children ≥ 5 y) were defined as anemia. Data were analysed using Mann Whitney test, Student´s t-test, chi-square test and logistic regression. The R package (v. 4.2.2.) was used for the statistical analysis of data. The sample included 392 children (mean age, 2.4 ± 1.4 y; 44.6% females). The prevalence of elevated BLL, ID and anemia was 8.7%, 26.3% and 31.8%, respectively. We found a significant association between elevated BLL and ID (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.16 (1.50, 6.63)). The prevalence of elevated BLL was 16.2% and 5.8% in children with and without ID, respectively (p = 0.003). We also found association between elevated BLL and anemia (OR 95% CI: 3.03 (1.49, 6.29)). In conclusion, blood lead levels ≥ 5µg/dL were significantly associated with ID and anemia in children aged 1-6 years.

Factors Associated with Anthropometric Status of Primary School Children in Dodoma, Tanzaniaania

Background: Malnutrition in school-age children significantly affects their health, cognitive development, and educational attainment. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of school-age children and the influence of socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental factors on their nutritional well-being. This study focused on primary focus was on primary school children in Dodoma. sought to identify children who could be at risk of malnutrition. The study intended to establish baseline data regarding the nutritional status of school children that could contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the nutritional landscape among primary school children in the region. This information could subsequently inform nutritionists and policymakers to plan interventions to improve these children's nutritional status. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 248 pupils was conducted in eight primary schools in Dodoma. Four schools were selected from Chamwino and Dodoma urban districts, respectively, whereby two government schools and two private schools were selected from each district. The other four schools were situated in the urban district of Dodoma, comprising two government and two private schools. The study assessed the prevalence of stunting, wasting/thinness, underweight, and overweight/obesity among primary school children. Stunting was characterized by impaired growth and development with low height for age, while underweight was defined as low weight relative to age. Wasting/thinness refers to insufficient flesh, with body weight falling below skeletal and physical standards. Overweight/obese indicates excessive fat tissue accumulation that could impact health. Data were analyzed using the WHO AnthroPlus v1.0.4 software and SPSS v26 software for Windows. Results: Prevalence rates among the surveyed pupils were as follows: stunting (10.5%), underweight (3.6%), thinness (2.8%), and overweight/obesity (10.1%). Stunting was more prevalent in boys (13.2%) than in girls (8.2%), and it exhibited an upward trend with increasing age. The prevalence of underweight was higher in public schools (8.2%) compared to private schools (3.2%). Thinness was more common in public schools (85.7%) compared to private schools (14.3%) and was more prevalent in rural areas (57.1%) and among younger children (57.1%). Overweight/obesity was more prevalent among girls (91.0%) compared to boys (88.6%). Schools in urban areas showed a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity (90.3%) than those in rural areas (89.5%). Private schools (95.2%) had a higher prevalence of overweight/obese pupils compared to public schools (84.7%). Pupils residing in urban areas were more likely to become overweight/obese compared to their counterparts living in rural settings. Conclusion:  Significant rates of stunting, thinness, underweight, and overweight/obesity were observed among primary schoolchildren in Dodoma, Tanzania. These findings underlined the necessity to enhance nutrition interventions to improve the nutritional status of both public and private primary school pupils in Tanzania.