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Cross‐sectional and longitudinal analysis of nutritional status of school‐children from Bumbire Island (United Republic of Tanzania)
Author(s) -
Comandini Ornella,
Carmignani Gabriele,
Cipriano Alessandro,
Carmignani Giovanni,
Tiba Deodatus,
Marini Elisabetta
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of human biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.559
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1520-6300
pISSN - 1042-0533
DOI - 10.1002/ajhb.23098
Subject(s) - tanzania , underweight , malnutrition , anthropometry , micronutrient , overweight , medicine , cross sectional study , demography , environmental health , longitudinal study , pediatrics , body mass index , geography , pathology , environmental planning , sociology
Objective To analyze the nutritional status of schoolchildren from Bumbire Island (Tanzania) from cross‐sectional and longitudinal perspectives. Methods During 2014 and 2015, we collected anthropometric measurements in a sample of 437 schoolchildren (226 males, 211 females; 5–16 years). A sub‐sample of 126 children were measured in both surveys. Socio‐demographic data have been taken and dietary habits investigated. The accuracy of age data was checked. Malnutrition prevalence was calculated according to the WHO references and the z‐score criteria. Results The prevalence of undernutrition was high (stunting: 30.7%; underweight: 12.9%; thinness: 4.5%), while overweight was rare (2.4%). The prevalence of stunting was higher in males and in older children. The one‐year longitudinal analysis indicated that stunting prevalence increased. Conclusions Undernutrition is affecting Bumbire Island children, likely due to micronutrient deficiencies. The effects of linear growth deficit continue to accumulate throughout childhood and adolescent years.