Waist Circumference as a Measure to Determine Obesity among Primary School Children in Ogoni, Rivers State

Background: Skin diseases are common among children in the developing countries in Sub Saharan Africa where there is low level of hygiene, overcrowding and warm humid climates. However, there are no known community based studies on the prevalence of skin diseases among primary school children in Rivers State, Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of skin diseases among primary school children in three semi urban communities in ObioAkpor LGA in Rivers State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross sectional study was conducted in five public primary schools in three semi urban communities in ObioAkpor LGA over a three months period from September to November 2017. Five hundred and twenty four children were recruited for the study from the selected schools. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographics and a team of investigators examined each child for evidence of skin diseases. Results: There were 263 (50.2%) males and 261 (49.8%) females, with male to female ratio of 1.01: 1. Their ages ranged between 5 to 16 years, with a mean age of 9.5±2.22 years. The prevalence of skin lesions among the children was 35.3% (185/524). Skin infections, inflammatory dermatitis and other skin lesions accounted for 39.5%, 14.1% and 46.5% respectively of the skin diseases. The most prevalent specific skin disease found was Dermatophyte infection in 50 (27.0%) children, followed by Xerosis 21 (11.4%). Tinea capitis was the most common (52.1%) skin infection. The commonest inflammatory dermatitis found was Seborrheic dermatitis 53.8%. Age had no significant influence on the prevalence of skin infections (p=0.711). Conclusion: The prevalence of skin diseases was high among primary school children in the semi urban communities in ObioAkpor LGA and Dermatophyte infection accounted for more than a quarter of the skin diseases found. Maybe regular inspection of the skin of primary school children by health professionals and teachers should be done in order to reduce the spread of infectious skin diseases within the schools.

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Breakfast skiping is related to higher body mass index and higher waist circumference in primary school children

Acta Alimentaria ◽

10.1556/aalim.39.2010.3.7 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 308-316

Author(s):

V. Kovács ◽

Zs. Fajcsák ◽

A. Gábor ◽

É. Martos

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Primary School ◽

Body Mass ◽

School Children ◽

Primary School Children

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Waist Circumference Identifies Primary School Children with Metabolic Syndrome Abnormalities

Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics ◽

10.1089/dia.2006.0017 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 149-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Valeria Hirschler ◽

Gustavo Maccallini ◽

Maria Calcagno ◽

Claudio Aranda ◽

Mauricio Jadzinsky

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Primary School Children

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Program Obesity Zero (POZ) – a community-based intervention to address overweight primary-school children from five Portuguese municipalities

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980013000244 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 1043-1051 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Ana Isabel Rito ◽

Maria Ana Carvalho ◽

Carlos Ramos ◽

João Breda

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Low Income ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Activity Level ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity

AbstractObjectiveResults of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative indicated that on average one out of four primary-school children is overweight or obese. Portugal presented one of the highest prevalences of obesity. Childhood obesity prevention and treatment should be a top priority. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Program Obesity Zero (POZ), a multi-component, community-, family- and school-based childhood obesity intervention.DesignParents and children attended four individual nutrition and physical activity counselling sessions, a one-day healthy cooking workshop and two school extracurricular sessions of nutrition education. Waist circumference, BMI, physical activity level, sedentary behaviours, and nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitudes and behaviour were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. Diet was assessed using two 24 h recalls, at baseline and at 6 months.SettingFive Portuguese municipalities and local communities.SubjectsTwo hundred and sixty-six overweight children (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) aged 6–10 years, from low-income families in five Portuguese municipalities, were assigned to the intervention.ResultsChildren showed reductions in waist circumference (−2·0 cm; P < 0·0001), mean BMI (−0·7 kg/m2; P < 0·0001) and BMI-for-age percentile (−1·7; P < 0·0001) at 6 months. Overall, children's intake of fruit and vegetables was <400 g/d throughout the intervention. After 6 months, higher fibre consumption and an apparent decrease in sugary soft drinks intake to a quarter of that observed at baseline (mean intake: 198 ml/d at baseline), with improvements in physical activity levels and screen time <2 h/d, were also observed.ConclusionsThe findings suggested that POZ is a promising intervention programme, at municipality level, to tackle childhood overweight and obesity.

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