scholarly journals The Role of Irrigation on Improvement of Young Children in Central Kenya

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (13) ◽  
pp. 01-16
Author(s):  
Veronicah Kirogo ◽  
◽  
Wambui K.M ◽  
Nelson M.M ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
High Income ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Leeward Side ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Commercial Farming ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age

A comparative, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the role of irrigation on improvement of nutritional status of children aged 6 – 59 months in a semi-arid setting. Two equal samples of fifty-nine children (aged 6 – 59 months) hereafter, referred to as the Project and the Non-project groups, respectively were randomly selected from households with a nd without access to irrigation water in Kieni East Division of Nyeri District, Kenya. The study area is situated in the drier western leeward side of Mt. Kenya and is characteristic by unreliable rainfall of between 500 to 1200 mm per annum. Weight, height and age of index children were determined and the corresponding standard deviations of weight-for-age, we ight-for-height and height-for-age calculated and compared to the reference standards developed by the US National Centre for Health Statistics. Energy and nutrient intake was determined using 24-hour dietary recall method. The findings on socio-demographic characteristics showed that the Project and Non-project households were similar in terms of household size, land size, marital status of the respondent, maternal and paternal education and occupation. The calorie intake of over two-fifth (42%) of the children from the Non-project households compared to 39% from the Project households was below the Recommended Daily Allowance. The children from commercial farming Project households had significantly higher weight-for-age Z-score than those from commercial farming Non-project households. Similarly, children from high-income Project households had significantly higher height-for-age Z-score than those from high-income Non-project households. The prevalence of stunting was also significantly lower in the high-income Project households compared to high-income N on-project households. Among the male children, the prevalence of underweight was significantly higher in Non-project households than in Project households. Overall, the prevalence of stunting and underweight which are indicators of long-term nutritional deprivation were higher in Non-project households than Project households. The findings of the study led to the conclusion that irrigation contributes to increased per capita food availability resulting in higher energy intakes and subsequently enables households to safeguard young children against chronic malnutrition. Also, poverty as characterised by low household income remains a main determinant of nutritional status.

scholarly journals FOOD INTAKE, NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deise Cristina Oliva CARAMICO-FAVERO ◽  
Zelita Caldeira Ferreira GUEDES ◽  
Mauro Batista de MORAIS
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Fluid Intake ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy may be associated with comorbidities such as undernutrition, impaired growth and gastrointestinal symptoms. Children with cerebral palsy exhibit eating problems due to the effect on the anatomical and functional structures involved in the eating function resulting in malnutrition. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between food intake, nutritional status and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included 40 children with cerebral palsy (35 with spastic tetraparetic form and 5 with non-spastic choreoathetoid form of cerebral palsy, all requiring wheelchairs or bedridden) aged from 4 to 10 years. The dietary assessment with the parents was performed using the usual household food intake inquiry. Anthropometric data were collected. Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with deglutition disorders, gastroesophageal reflux and chronic constipation were also recorded. RESULTS: The median of height-for-age Z-score (-4.05) was lower (P<0.05) than the median of weight-for-age (-3.29) and weight-for-height (-0.94). There was no statistical difference between weight-for-age and weight-for-height Z-scores. Three patients with cerebral palsy (7.5%) exhibited mild anemia, with normal ferritin levels in two. Symptoms of dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux, and constipation were found in 82.5% (n=33), 40.0% (n=16), and 60.0% (n=24) of the sample, respectively. The patients with symptoms of dysphagia exhibited lower daily energy (1280.2±454.8 Kcal vs 1890.3±847.1 Kcal, P=0.009), carbohydrate (median: 170.9 g vs 234.5 g, P=0.023) and fluid intake (483.1±294.9 mL vs 992.9±292.2 mL, P=0.001). The patients with symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux exhibited greater daily fluid intake (720.0±362.9 mL) than the patients without symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (483.7±320.0 mL, P=0.042) and a greater height-for-age deficit (Z-score: -4.9±1.7 vs 3.7±1.5, P=0.033). The patients with symptoms of constipation exhibited lower daily dietary fiber (9.2±4.3 g vs 12.3±4.3 g, P=0.031) and fluid (456.5±283.1 mL vs 741.1±379.2 mL, P=0.013) intake. CONCLUSION: Children with cerebral palsy exhibited wide variability in food intake which may partially account for their severe impaired growth and malnutrition. Symptoms of dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux, and constipation are associated with different food intake patterns. Therefore, nutritional intervention should be tailored considering the gastrointestinal symptoms and nutritional status.

scholarly journals Nutritional Status among under-5 Children of a selected slum in Dhaka city

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Aynal Hoque ◽  
Md Abu Sayeed ◽  
Mohammed Rizwanul Ahsan ◽  
Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun ◽  
Farhana Salim
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Birth Certificates ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age

Background : Malnutrition is a serious public health problem that has been linked to increase risk of morbidity and mortality. Child malnutrition causes 27% of child deaths in developing countries in 2015.Objective : To estimate the nutritional status of under five children of a selected slum in Dhaka city.Methodology : This was a descriptive cross sectional study and conducted among 100 under 5 children purposively selected at Agargaon slum in Dhaka city during January-2015 to July-2015. Anthropometric measurements were taken by using standard methods. Those were weight, height, MUAC. Information regarding age of children was taken from patient’s birth certificates or hospital records. Nutritional status was estimated by calculating Z-score, weight for age, height for age, weight for height and mid upper arm circumference. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.Results : Mean age of the study population was 32.95 months. Male was 52% and female was 48%. Regarding Anthropometric assessment according to weight for height Z-score, 39% were wasted moderately and 13% were severely wasted and height for age Z-score, showed 47% of children were stunted moderately and 14% children were severely stunted. According to weight for age Zscore, 46% of children were moderately underweight and 16% children were severely underweight. According to MUAC classification 43% of children were in border line and 16% were malnutrition.Conclusions : Overall, nutritional status of the under 5 child of slum of Agargaon were not satisfactory.Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.7(2) Jan 2016: 143-145

scholarly journals Development of LMS and Z Score Growth References for Egyptian Children From Birth Up to 5 Years

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali M. El Shafie ◽  
Fady M. El-Gendy ◽  
Dalia M. Allahony ◽  
Hossam H. Hegran ◽  
Zein A. Omar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Egyptian Children ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Growth References ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age

Background: The Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) and Z score methods are important for assessment of growth and nutritional status. In Egypt, there is a lack of this tool for monitoring growth in preschool children.Objective: To develop LMS and Z score growth references for assessment of growth and nutritional status for Egyptian children from birth up to 5 years.Methods: A total of 27,537 children [13,888 boys (50.4%) and 13,649 girls (49.6%)] from birth up to 5 years were included in a multistage cross sectional randomized study from different Egyptian geographic districts to create LMS and Z score references for weight, length/height, and body mass index corresponding to age in addition to weight for length/height. Healthy term infants and children, exclusive breast feeding for at least 4 months and not suffering from any chronic diseases were included in this study. Children with dysmorphic features, preterm infants, admitted in neonatal or pediatric intensive care units and having any chronic diseases (hematological, cardiac, hepatic, and renal) were excluded. In addition any health condition that affects child growth including nutritional disorders was also excluded. Un-paired t-test was calculated to compare the means of weight for age, length/height for age, weight for length/height, and BMI for-age z scores of the Egyptian and WHO reference values.Results: Through detailed tables and graphs, LMS and Z scores for weight for age, length/height for age, weight for length/height, and BMI for age of both sexes were represented. Our findings showed no statistically significant difference between reference charts of WHO and Egyptian Z score charts (P &gt; 0.05).Conclusion: This study provides the first reference for Egyptian children from birth up to 5 years based on Z score tool for assessment the growth and nutritional status in various clinical conditions and research, also allows comparison with references of other countries.

Nutritional Status of Under-5 Children in a Slam of Dhaka City and Influence of Immunization and Socio-economic Condition on Malnutrition

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-38
Author(s):  
Md Aynal Hoque ◽  
Hossain Sahid Kamrul Alam ◽  
Md Abu Sayeed
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Economic Condition ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Socioeconomic Condition ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age

Background: In slum area there is a very high prevalence of malnutrition. Many factors can cause malnutrition, most of which relate to immunization, socio economic condition and repeated infections, particularly in underprivileged population. Objectives: To observe the nutritional status and effect of immunization and socio economic condition on malnutrition among under-5 children in a selected slum of Dhaka city. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 384 under-5 children randomly selected from PWD slum in Dhaka city. It was carried out during January- 2013 to December-2014. Anthropometric measurements like wasting was determined from weight for height Z-score, stunting was determined from height for age Z-score, underweight was determined from weight for age Z-score and malnutrition also assessed by Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: In this study in slum 40.36% were found malnourished according to MUAC, according to weight for height Z-score wasting was present in 29.43% children, according to height for age Z-score stunting was found in 28.39% and according to weight for age Z-score underweight was found in 46.89% children. There is a decreased number of malnutrition cases when family income rise. Out of the 384 study children 68% were completely immunized, 16.9% were incompletely immunized and rest 15.1% were not immunized. Number of MUAC malnutrition, wasting, stunting and underweight cases increases in cases of incomplete immunization and no immunization. Conclusions: Overall, nutritional status of the under-5 child of slum of PWD is not satisfactory. Family income and immunization status plays role in malnutrition. So socioeconomic condition should improve and mass immunization programshould be implemented in urban slum areas. DS (Child) H J 2020; 36(1) : 34-38

scholarly journals Relationship between food insecurity and nutritional status of Brazilian children under the age of five

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 984-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Pozza dos Santos ◽  
Denise Petrucci Gigante
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nutritional Indices ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Worldwide Web ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Brazilian Children ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between food insecurity and nutritional status of Brazilian children. METHODS: The National Demographic and Health Survey 2006 database is available on the worldwide web. Thus, the analyzed variables were obtained in this study, including nutritional indices, food insecurity and other socioeconomic and demographic variables. The height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height indices were evaluated as the Z-score of the World Health Organization reference curves. Food insecurity was defined by using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Averages of three indices according to the presence of food insecurity were analyzed, including other variables. Linear regression evaluated the effect of food insecurity on the Z-score of the three nutritional indices. RESULTS: The sample included 4,817 children, out of whom 7% had deficit in height, 7% were overweight and 47% had food insecurity. It was found that the average of height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height were -0.31, 0.12 and 0.40, respectively, being lower among children with food insecurity. CONCLUSION: The regression analysis showed that children living with some level of food insecurity have worse rates of height-for-age, even controlling for demographic and socioeconomic factors.

scholarly journals Association of Whole Blood Fatty Acids and Growth in Southern Ghanaian Children 2–6 Years of Age

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Adjepong ◽  
William Yakah ◽  
William Harris ◽  
Esi Colecraft ◽  
Grace Marquis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Dietary Fatty Acids ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Omega 6 ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age

In Ghana, stunting rates in children below 5 years of age vary regionally. Dietary fatty acids (FAs) are crucial for linear growth. The objective of this study was to determine the association between blood FAs and growth parameters in southern Ghanaian children 2–6 years of age. A drop of blood was collected on an antioxidant treated card and analyzed for FA composition. Weight and height were measured and z-scores calculated. Relationships between FAs and growth were analyzed by linear regressions and factor analysis. Of the 209 subjects, 22% were stunted and 10.6% were essential FA deficient (triene/tetraene ratio > 0.02). Essential FA did not differ between stunted and non-stunted children and was not associated with height-for-age z-score or weight-for-age z-score. Similarly, no relationships between other blood fatty acids and growth parameters were observed in this population. However, when blood fatty acid levels in these children were compared to previously reported values from northern Ghana, the analysis showed that blood omega-3 FA levels were significantly higher and omega-6 FA levels lower in the southern Ghanaian children (p < 0.001). Fish and seafood consumption in this southern cohort was high and could account for the lower stunting rates observed in these children compared to other regions.

scholarly journals Water, sanitation and hygiene practices associated with improved height-for-age, weight-for-height and weight-for-age z-scores in Nepal.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Som Kumar Shrestha ◽  
Don Vicendese ◽  
Bircan Erbas
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Water Purification ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
P Value ◽  
Child Undernutrition ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age

Abstract Background: Evidence of the influence of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) behaviors on childhood nutritional status is inconsistent. Few studies have examined their interactive effects. This study aimed to examine associations and interactions between WASH variables and preschool child undernutrition. Methods: Data from a nationally representative sample of 2352 children assessed during the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed by multi-variable linear regression to understand the association between height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) z-scores and WASH variables. Interactions between WASH variables, sex and area of residence on childhood nutritional status were also examined. Results: The mean z-score [standard deviation] for children’s WAZ, HAZ and WHZ scores were -1.33 [1.1], -1.52 [1.3] and -0.65 [1.1], respectively. A unit increase in cluster sanitation coverage was associated with an increase of 0.30 (95%CI: 0.12 to 0.48) for WAZ and 0.28 (95%CI: 0.001 to 0.56) for HAZ scores. Household water purification practice was associated with an increase of 0.24 (95%CI: 0.07 to 0.41) in WHZ score. Handwashing practice with water and soap was associated with an increase of 0.15 (95%CI: 0.04 to 0.25) in WAZ and 0.13 (95%CI: 0.01 to 0.24) in WHZ scores. The effect of water purification practice was higher for rural areas compared to urban settings for HAZ scores (p-value for interaction=0.02). Conclusions: Consistent with findings from other countries in the South Asian region, findings of this study highlight the potential importance of good WASH practices, and therefore the potential of WASH interventions, to contribute to improved nutritional status in rural Nepal.

scholarly journals Nutritional status of Yemeni schoolchildren in Al-Mahweet Governorate

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 204-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. A. Raja'a ◽  
S. M. Sulaiman ◽  
J. S. Mubarak
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Rural Children ◽  
Urban Residents ◽  
Skin Fold Thickness ◽  
Skin Fold ◽  
Fat Stores ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Average Skin ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age

The nutritional status of 948 children selected randomly from Al-Mahweet Governorate schools was investigated. Age range was 5-18 years with a mean of 10.6 +/- 2.8 years. Among the children, 3.4% had depleted iron and 43.4% had below average skin-fold thickness. Approximately half of the children were either stunted or chronically underweight and 1 child in 20 was underfed. Depleted fat stores affected two-fifths of the children and approximately one-fifth were anaemic. Urban residents scored significantly higher on nutritional parameters than rural children. Serum ferritin levels were significantly greater among males than females whereas mean height-for-age, weight-for-age and skin-fold thickness were lower.

scholarly journals Differences between WHO Growth Standards and China Growth Standards in Assessing the Nutritional Status of Children Aged 0–36 Months Old

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 251
Author(s):  
Qianling Tian ◽  
Xiao Gao ◽  
Tingting Sha ◽  
Qiong He ◽  
Gang Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
World Health ◽  
Growth Standards ◽  
The World ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Nutritional Status Of Children ◽  
Height For Age ◽  
Weight For Age ◽  
China’S Growth

Background: At present, whether to use the World Health Organization’s (WHO) growth standards or native growth standards to assess the nutritional status in a given population is unclear. This study aimed to compare the differences between the WHO’s growth standards and China’s growth standards in assessing the nutritional status of children aged 0~36 months. Methods: We used z-scores to evaluate the nutritional status of children. The weight-for-age z-scores (WAZs), length/height-for-age z-scores (LAZ/HAZs), and weight-for-length/height z-scores (WLZ/WHZs) were calculated using the WHO’s growth standards and China’s growth standards. MeNemar’s test was used to compare the nutritional status of children. Results: The results in this study showed that there were differences between the WHO’s standards and China’s standards in assessing children’s nutritional status except for stunting and obesity. The prevalence of underweight assessed using China’s standards was higher than when using the WHO’s standards (except when 3 and 36 months old). The prevalence of wasting was significantly higher when assessed using China’s standards than when using the WHO’s standards from 12 to 36 months. The prevalence of overweight was higher when assessed using the WHO’s standards from 3 to 8 months. Conclusions: Both the WHO’s and China’s growth standards are useful measures in assessing children’s nutritional status but with key significant differences. Therefore, caution should be taken in selecting appropriate measures in a given population.

scholarly journals A Randomized Crossover Study to Evaluate Recipe Acceptability in Breastfeeding Mothers and Young Children in India Targeted for a Multiple Biofortified Food Crop Intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-470
Author(s):  
Bryan M. Gannon ◽  
Varsha Thakker ◽  
Vincent S. Bonam ◽  
Jere D. Haas ◽  
Wesley Bonam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Food Crop ◽  
Overall Acceptability ◽  
Hedonic Scale ◽  
Crop Variety ◽  
And Control ◽  
Randomized Crossover Study ◽  
Height For Age

Background: A multiple biofortified food crop trial targeting iron, zinc, and vitamin A deficiencies among young children and their breastfeeding mothers is planned in India. Objective: To determine the acceptability of recipes prepared with control and biofortified pearl millet, wheat, lentils, and sweet potato. Methods: Children (6-24 months) and their mothers were enrolled as pairs (n = 52). Weight and height/length were determined. Mothers and children were separately, individually randomized in a crossover design to control or biofortified recipes. Children’s 3-day intake was measured per recipe and crop variety. For mothers, a 9-point hedonic scale evaluated color, odor, taste, and overall acceptability. Results: Children’s mean (SD) length-/height-for-age Z-score was −1.2 (1.7), with 27% < −2 (stunted). Mean weight-for-length Z-score was −0.6 (1.2) with 9.6% < −2 (wasted). Mother’s body mass index showed 17% <18.5 and 38% >25. There was no difference in the children’s intake of biofortified versus control varieties of any recipe ( P ≥ .22); overall median daily intake was 75 g (Q1: 61, Q3: 100). Mother’s hedonic scores for color, odor, taste, or overall acceptability did not demonstrate any notable differences ( P ≥ .23 for overall acceptability); combined median overall acceptability score was 8.5 (Q1: 8.0, Q3: 9.0). Conclusions: Recipes were consumed readily, were rated as highly acceptable, and did not show any differences between biofortified and control varieties.

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