scholarly journals Perspective: Challenges in Use of Adolescent Anthropometry for Understanding the Burden of Malnutrition

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Tumilowicz ◽  
Ty Beal ◽  
Lynnette M Neufeld ◽  
Edward A Frongillo

ABSTRACT Improving nutritional status during adolescence is an opportunity to improve the lives of this generation and the next. Estimating the burden of malnutrition at a population level is fundamental to targeting interventions and measuring progress over time, and for adolescents, we usually depend on survey data and the 2007 WHO Growth Reference to do so. There is substantial risk of misguided conclusions regarding adolescent prevalence estimates, however, when underlying methodological limitations of the indicators and reference are not adequately considered. We use national prevalence estimates among girls and young women 10–22 y of age from the 2014 State of Food Security and Nutrition in Bangladesh report as an example to demonstrate that determining the true prevalence of undernutrition, overweight, and obesity is complicated by racial/ethnic variation across populations in timing of the adolescent growth spurt, growth potential, and body build. Further challenging the task are inherent limitations of the body mass index as an indicator of thinness and adiposity, and cutoffs that poorly distinguish a well-nourished population from a malnourished one. We provide recommendations for adolescent nutrition policy and program decision-making, emphasizing the importance of 1) critically interpreting indicators and distributions by age when using the 2007 WHO Growth Reference; 2) examining what is happening before and after adolescence, when interpretation of anthropometry is more straightforward, as well as trends over time; and 3) complementing anthropometry with other information, particularly dietary intake. Finally, we advocate that nutrition researchers prioritize exploration of better methods to predict peak height velocity, for development of standardized indicators to measure dietary quality among adolescents, and for studies that will illuminate causal paths so that we can effectively improve adolescent dietary intake and nutritional status.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gitanjali Sathiadas ◽  
A Annieston ◽  
V Arunath ◽  
T Kasthuri ◽  
V P Wickramasinghe

Abstract Background Nutritional status is an important indicator for measuring quality of life in children. A region that is recovering from war will face many problems related to nutrition. Very few studies have addressed the nutritional problems in school-going children. This study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of various nutritional problems and to assess the correlation of it to certain socio-demographic factors. Methods Community based cross sectional study using multistage stratified proportionate cluster sampling technique, was done among healthy children attending schools in the Northern part of the country. Height and weight were measured and the Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated [weight (kg)/Height (m) ²]. BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) and Height for age Z (HAZ) scores were determined and WHO growth references were used to categorise the nutritional status of the children. Correlation between various nutritional problems with Maternal education and household income was assessed. Results A total of 1012 children were recruited, and the mean age was 11.12 ± 1.77yrs. Girls in the age ranges of 9–14 were heavier and taller when compared to the boys compatible to the pubertal growth spurt. Stunting based on the height for age was seen in 10.9% of boys and 11.8% of girls. Wasting based on BMI for age WHO standard (WHO 2007) was seen in 30.6% of boys and 29.1% of the girls. The prevalence of overweight was 11% and Obesity was 6.3% of the population. Obesity was predominantly seen in boys (4.2%) and it was significantly higher when compared to the girls (2.1%) (p < 0.001). Older boys (> 10 years) were significantly affected more than the younger ones (p < 0.01). The prevalence of wasting, stunting, overweight and obesity had significant variations in different educational zones comparable with the geographical areas. Maternal Education and Family income had a significant impact on the prevalence of stunting and obesity. (p < 0.001). Conclusion Findings suggest that stunting, wasting, overweight and obesity are prevalent among 6-16-year-old leading to concerns in public health. The nutritional problems significantly vary according to the geographical location maternal education and the household income.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1320
Author(s):  
Humberto Peña-Jorquera ◽  
Valentina Campos-Núñez ◽  
Kabir P. Sadarangani ◽  
Gerson Ferrari ◽  
Carlos Jorquera-Aguilera ◽  
...  

This study aimed to determine whether pupils who have breakfast just before a cognitive demand, do not regularly skip breakfast, and consume a high-quality breakfast present higher cognitive performance than those who do not; furthermore, to establish differences according to their nutritional status. In this study, 1181 Chilean adolescents aged 10–14 years participated. A global cognitive score was computed through eight tasks, and the body mass index z-score (BMIz) was calculated using a growth reference for school-aged adolescents. The characteristics of breakfast were self-reported. Analyses of covariance were performed to determine differences in cognitive performance according to BMIz groups adjusted to sex, peak height velocity, physical fitness global score, and their schools. A positive association was found in adolescents’ cognitive performance when they had breakfast just before cognitive tasks, did not regularly skip breakfast, presented at least two breakfast quality components, and included dairy products. No significant differences were found between breakfast components, including cereal/bread and fruits/fruit juice. Finally, pupils who were overweight/obese who declared that they skipped breakfast regularly presented a lower cognitive performance than their normal-BMIz peers. These findings suggest that adolescents who have breakfast just prior to a cognitive demand and regularly have a high quality breakfast have better cognitive performance than those who do not. Educative nutritional strategies should be prioritized, especially in “breakfast skippers” adolescents living with overweight/obesity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Sathiadas ◽  
Annieston Antonyraja ◽  
Arunath Viswalingam ◽  
Kasthuri Thangaraja ◽  
V. P. Wickramasinghe

Abstract Background Nutritional status is an important indicator for measuring quality of life in children. A region that is recovering from war will face many problems related to nutrition. Very few studies have addressed the nutritional problems in school children. This study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of wasting, stunting and obesity among school children from Northern Sri Lanka and associated socio-demographic factors. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was carried out using multistage stratified proportionate cluster among healthy children attending schools in the Northern part of the country. Height and weight were measured, and Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated [weight (kg)/Height (m) 2]. BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) and Height for age Z (HAZ) scores were determined and WHO growth references were used to categorise the nutritional status. Correlation between various nutritional problems with Maternal education, household income, number of family members and the residential area was assessed. Results A total of 1012 children were recruited, and the mean age and standard deviation were 11.12±1.77 yrs. Girls in the age ranges of 9–14 were heavier and taller when compared to the boys compatible with the pubertal growth spurt. Stunting based on the height for age was seen in 10.9% of boys and 11.8% of girls. Wasting based on BMI for age WHO standard (WHO 2007) was seen in 30.6% of boys and 29.1% of the girls. The prevalence of overweight was 11% and Obesity was 6.3% of the population. Obesity was predominantly seen in boys (4.2%) and it was significantly higher when compared to the girls (2.1%) (p < 0.001). Obesity in older boys (> 10 years) was significantly more than the younger ones (p < 0.01). Maternal education and family income had a significant impact on the prevalence of wasting, stunting and obesity whereas the family size contributed to the wasting and obesity (p< 0.001). Conclusion Findings suggest that stunting, wasting, overweight and obesity are prevalent among 6–16-year-old leading to concerns in public health. The nutritional status significantly varies according to the geographical location, maternal education and the household income.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Rini Hariani Ratih

ABSTRAK Data Riskesdas 2018 menunjukkan bahwa 25,7% remaja usia 13-15 tahun dan 26,9% remaja usia 16-18 tahun dengan status gizi pendek dan sangat pendek. Selain itu terdapat 8,7% remaja usia 13-15 tahun dan 8,1% remaja usia 16-18 tahun dengan kondisi kurus dan sangat kurus. Sedangkan prevalensi berat badan lebih dan obesitas sebesar 16,0% pada remaja usia 13-15 tahun dan 13,5% pada remaja usia 16-18 tahun. Data tersebut merepresentasikan kondisi gizi pada remaja di Indonesia yang harus diperbaiki. Berdasarkan baseline survey UNICEF pada tahun 2017, ditemukan adanya perubahan pola makan dan aktivitas fisik pada remaja. Gizi merupakan salah satu faktor utama penentu kualitas hidup dan sumber daya manusia. Tujuan penelitian Untuk mengetahui hubungan perilaku makan terhadap status gizi pada siswi SMAN 2 Tambang 2018. Penelitian ini mengunakan jenis kuantitatif analitik dengan desain cross sectional.  Populasi pada penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa putri SMAN 2 Tambang dari kelas XI sebanyak 240 orang  dengan sampel sebanyak 71 orang. Hasil uji Chi Square didapatkan nilai p=0,01 (≤ 0,05. Ada hubungan yang signifikan perilaku makan dengan status gizi pada remaja putr di SMAN 2 Tambang.Kata Kunci : perilaku makan; status gizi;  remaja putri  RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EATING BEHAVIOR WITH NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN FEMALE ADOLESCENT AT TAMBANG STATE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 2 ABSTRACT  According to the report of Indonesian Health Research in 2018 showed that 25.7% of adolescents aged 13-15 years and 26.9% of adolescents aged 16-18 years have a short and very short nutritional status. In addition, there were 8.7% adolescents aged 13-15 years and 8.1% adolescents aged 16-18 years with thin and very thin conditions. Meanwhile, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 16.0% in adolescents aged 13-15 years and 13.5% in adolescents aged 16-18 years. Nutrition is one of the main factors determining the quality of life and human resources. Nutrients are chemicals found in food that the body needs to maintain health and immunity; adolescents are one of the groups that are prone to experiencing nutritional problems. The research objective was to determine the relationship between eating behavior and the nutritional status of students at SMAN 2 Tambang 2018. This research method used a quantitative analytic research type, with a cross sectional study design. The populations in this study were all 12 students of Tambang State Senior High School 2 from class XI totaling 240 students. The sample in this study was some of the 71 class students. The results of the Chi Square test showed that the value of p = 0.01 (≤ 0.05), this means that statistically there is a relationship between eating behavior and nutritional status in young girls. Keywords: eating behavior; nutritional status; female adolescent


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gitanjali Sathiadas ◽  
A Annieston ◽  
V Arunath ◽  
T Kasthuri ◽  
V P Wickramasinghe

Abstract Background Nutritional status is an important indicator for measuring quality of life in children. A region that is recovering from war will face many problems related to nutrition. Very few studies have addressed the nutritional problems in school-going children. This study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of wasting, stunting and obesity of school children from Northern Sri Lanka and associated socio-demographic factorsMethods A community based cross-sectional study was carried out using multistage stratified proportionate cluster among healthy children attending schools in the Northern part of the country. Height and weight were measured and the Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated [weight (kg)/Height (m) ²]. BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) and Height for age Z (HAZ) scores were determined and WHO growth references were used to categorise the nutritional status of the children. Correlation between various nutritional problems with Maternal education, household income, number of family members and the residential area was assessed. Results A total of 1012 children were recruited, and the mean age and standard deviation were 11.12±1.77yrs. Girls in the age ranges of 9-14 were heavier and taller when compared to the boys compatible to the pubertal growth spurt. Stunting based on the height for age was seen in 10.9% of boys and 11.8% of girls. Wasting based on BMI for age WHO standard (WHO 2007) was seen in 30.6% of boys and 29.1% of the girls. The prevalence of overweight was 11% and Obesity was 6.3% of the population. Obesity was predominantly seen in boys (4.2%) and it was significantly higher when compared to the girls (2.1%) (p <0.001). Older boys (>10 years) were significantly affected more than the younger ones (p <0.01). The prevalence of wasting, stunting, overweight and obesity had significant variations in different educational zones comparable with the geographical areas. Maternal Education and Family income had a significant impact on the prevalence of stunting and obesity. (p<0.001) whereas the family size significantly contributed to the wasting and obesity. Conclusion Findings suggest that stunting, wasting, overweight and obesity are prevalent among 6-16-year-old leading to concerns in public health. The nutritional status significantly vary according to the geographical location maternal education and the household income.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo De Maio Nascimento ◽  
Luiz Gabriel Dantas Pereira ◽  
Phillipe Ramon Nogueira Cordeiro ◽  
Luciana Márcia Gomes de Araújo

Introduction: The study of the nutritional status of the elderly deserves attention, since there is no consensus on the criteria for the evaluation of the Body Mass Index (BMI) of this population.Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of elderly women practicing regular physical exercises, as well as to compare the World Health Organization (WHO) and Lipschitz criteria to the identification of health risk and to examine their agreement.Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study with 76 elderly women in physical exercise groups in Petrolina-PE. The nutritional status was obtained by the calculation of BMI according to WHO and Lipschitz criteria. The analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the variables, followed by Tukey post hoc. The Kappa statistic established the agreement between the BMI criteria, the Spearman coefficient determined the correlation between BMI and abdominal circumference (AC).Results: Elderly patients aged 60-79 years were classified as being overweight by WHO and eutrophic by Lipschitz. Octogenarian demonstrated eutrophy, according to the criterion of Lipschitz, WHO diverged for this group between thinness and eutrophy. There was a weak agreement between both criteria, Kappa (0.232, p = 0.002) and a strong correlation between BMI and CA (r = 0.722, p <0.001).Conclusion: There was a divergence between the WHO and Lipschitz criteria. The WHO proved to be more sensitive to identifying overweight and obesity and Lipschitz's normal weight and malnutrition. The CA measure was more competent to detect health risk, especially in elderly eutrophic women.


2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (7) ◽  
pp. 1113-1119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana A. Janjetic ◽  
Paula Mantero ◽  
Eduardo Cueto Rua ◽  
Norma Balcarce ◽  
Gerardo Zerbetto de Palma ◽  
...  

It has been postulated that Helicobacter pylori infection could affect growth and appetite, consequently influencing body weight. Therefore, the association between H. pylori infection and the dietary and anthropometric indicators of nutritional status of a paediatric population were investigated. A total of 525 children (aged 4–16 years) who were referred to the gastroenterology unit of the Sor Maria Ludovica Children's Hospital from Buenos Aires, Argentina, were enrolled and completed an epidemiological questionnaire. H. pylori infection was diagnosed using the 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT). Height and weight were assessed for calculation of anthropometric indicators. Energy and macronutrient intakes were estimated by 24 h dietary recall. Data analysis was performed using a χ2 test, a Student's t test, a Mann–Whitney U test and linear and logistic regressions. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 25·1 % (with a mean age of 10·1 (sd 3·1) years). A tendency towards lower energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat intakes was observed in infected patients; however, it was not associated with H. pylori infection in any of the evaluated age groups (4–8, 9–13 and 14–16 years). Underweight, stunting, overweight and obesity were also not associated with the infection. Although height-for-age and BMI-for-age Z scores tended to be lower in infected patients, the differences between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative children were not statistically significant. In conclusion, H. pylori infection was not associated with dietary intake or with anthropometric indicators in the present population of children with gastrointestinal symptoms; however, an increased sample size would be needed to confirm the observed tendency towards lower dietary intake and lower anthropometric indicators of nutritional status in H. pylori-infected children.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gitanjali Sathiadas ◽  
A Annieston ◽  
V Arunath ◽  
T Kasthuri ◽  
V P Wickramasinghe

Abstract BackgroundNutritional status is an important indicator for measuring quality of life in children. A region that is recovering from war will face many problems related to nutrition. Very few studies have addressed the nutritional problems in school children. This study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of wasting, stunting and obesity among school children from Northern Sri Lanka and associated socio-demographic factors.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was carried out using multistage stratified proportionate cluster among healthy children attending schools in the Northern part of the country. Height and weight were measured, and Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated [weight (kg)/Height (m) ²]. BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) and Height for age Z (HAZ) scores were determined and WHO growth references were used to categorise the nutritional status. Correlation between various nutritional problems with Maternal education, household income, number of family members and the residential area was assessed. ResultsA total of 1012 children were recruited, and the mean age and standard deviation were 11.12±1.77yrs. Girls in the age ranges of 9-14 were heavier and taller when compared to the boys compatible with the pubertal growth spurt. Stunting based on the height for age was seen in 10.9% of boys and 11.8% of girls. Wasting based on BMI for age WHO standard (WHO 2007) was seen in 30.6% of boys and 29.1% of the girls. The prevalence of overweight was 11% and Obesity was 6.3% of the population. Obesity was predominantly seen in boys (4.2%) and it was significantly higher when compared to the girls (2.1%) (p <0.001). Obesity in older boys (>10 years) was significantly more than the younger ones (p <0.01). Maternal education and family income had a significant impact on the prevalence of wasting, stunting and obesity whereas the family size contributed to the wasting and obesity (p<0.001)ConclusionFindings suggest that stunting, wasting, overweight and obesity are prevalent among 6-16-year-old leading to concerns in public health. The nutritional status significantly varies according to the geographical location, maternal education and the household income.


2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (11) ◽  
pp. 1049-1054
Author(s):  
Yiska Loewenberg Weisband ◽  
Vered Kaufman-Shriqui ◽  
Yael Wolff Sagy ◽  
Michal Krieger ◽  
Wiessam Abu Ahmad ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess area-level socioeconomic position (SEP) disparities in nutritional status, to determine whether disparities differed by sex and to assess whether nutritional status and disparities changed over time.DesignWe used repeated cross-sectional data from a national programme that evaluates the quality of healthcare in Israel to assess children’s nutritional status.SettingThe study included all Israeli residents aged 7 years during 2014–2018 (n=699 255).MethodsSEP was measured based on the Central Bureau of Statistics’ statistical areas, and grouped into categories, ranging from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest). We used multivariable multinomial regression to assess the association between SEP and nutritional status and between year and nutritional status. We included interactions between year and SEP to assess whether disparities changed over time.ResultsChildren in SEP 1, comprised entirely of children from the Bedouin population from Southern Israel, had drastically higher odds of thinness compared with those in the highest SEP (Girls: OR 5.02, 99% CI 2.23 to 11.30; Boys: OR 2.03, 99% CI 1.19 to 3.48). Odds of obesity were highest in lower-middle SEPs (ORSEP 5 vs 10 1.84, 99% CI 1.34 to 2.54). Prevalence of overweight and obesity decreased between 2014 and 2018, normal weight increased and thinness did not change. SEP disparities in thinness decreased over time in boys but showed a reverse trend for girls. No substantial improvement was seen in SEP disparities for other weight categories.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates the need to consider initiatives to combat the considerable SEP disparities in both thinness and obesity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 103-111
Author(s):  
Md Azizur Rahman

The present study explored the growth and nutritional status among rural adolescent school girls of food insecure Berasub district of Pabna district in Bangldesh. The study was carried out in rural adolescent school girls of 21 government approved High schools of Berasu district of Pabna district, Bangladesh. Anthropometric and socio-demographic information from 2196 adolescent girls were collected during 2011-2012 academic session. Height and weight were measured using standard procedure and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. BMI was compared to 2007 WHO growth reference. Height- for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and BMI-for-age (BMIZ) were used to evaluate stunting, underweight and thinness respectively, based on the National Centre of Heath Statistics (NCHS) < - 2 Z score values. Classification of severity of malnutrition was done based on WHO recommendation. Mean BMI-for-age were less than those of 2007 WHO growth reference for girls at all ages. The overall rate of stunting, underweight and thinness was 33.13%, 28.06% and 17.92% respectively. Based on WHO classification of severity of malnutrition, the overall prevalence of stunting was high (30-39%), whereas those of underweight (≥ 30) and thinness (≥ 15) were very high. The study explores that poor health and nutritional status among the adolescents indicating a major public health problem in food insecure rural areas of Bangladesh. An intensive and comprehensive approach is required to improve the nutritional status of rural adolescent girls of Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjsa.v6i0.10691   Himalayan Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.6 2014: 103-111


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