scholarly journals Vulnerability and Weaknesses of Eating Habits of Overweight School Children as an Entry Risk for COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (T1) ◽  
pp. 158-166
Author(s):  
Ammal M. Metwally ◽  
Fatma A. Shaaban ◽  
Walaa S. Mahmoud ◽  
Ebtissam M. Salah ◽  
Marwa M. El-Sonbaty ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, overweight among children becomes an alarming problem and a health concern. Obesity is a factor in disease severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) having the greatest impact on patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight in some of the Egyptian governmental primary school children, its nutritional and socioeconomic determinants. Special focus was directed to identify the current dietary practices including risky nutritional habits of overweight children as a weak point leading to increasing their vulnerability to catching COVID-19 infection. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on primary school children aged 6–12 years. General demographic data, socioeconomic data, dietary pattern, intake of a diversity of nutrient-rich food versus calorie-dense food, and anthropometrical data were collected. RESULTS: Of 1600 child, there were 8% overweight who are considered at risk of COVID-19 infection. Considering the weekly share of the stomach, only one-third of the food consumed by overweight children is nutrient-rich, with high consumption of French fries and Candies (once per day among 95% and 78 % of overweight children, respectively). Moreover, 90% of them consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) more than once per day. The majority of overweight children belonged to small, middle- income families, and had illiterate or read and write mothers. CONCLUSION: Overweight children eat narrow diversity of nutrient-rich food that includes vegetables, fruits, protein, and dairy products. They eat more calorie-dense foods, every day. The increase of family income increased the likelihood of having overweight children with a high intake of SSB, candies, and chips; consumption of snacks between meals and before sleep. Protective predictors against overweight were highly educated mothers, taking breakfast before school, having dinner, and taking meals on time. RECOMMENDATION: Nutritional behavioral education aiming at choosing nutritious and varied options of food that is effective for improving children’s nutritional status is the key to decreasing vulnerability toward COVID 19.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (B) ◽  
pp. 650-657
Author(s):  
Ammal M. Metwally ◽  
Marwa El-Sonbaty ◽  
Lobna A. El Etreby ◽  
Ebtissam M. Salah El-Din ◽  
Nabih Abdel Hamid ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, stunting among children is a major public health concern. It affects all aspects of children’s lives; its effects are not constrained to physical wellbeing but reach out to mental, social, and spiritual wellbeing. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of stunting in some of the Egyptian governmental primary school children and its nutritional and socioeconomic determinants. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on primary school children aged 6–12 years. General demographic, socioeconomic, and anthropometric data, as well as dietary pattern, were collected. RESULTS: Out of 1740 children, 7.8% were stunted. Not eating eggs and dairy products had the most profound effect on stunting in children (p < 0.001). Not having meals on time, skipping breakfast, and having <3 meals per day were predictors of stunting (p = 0.003, p = 0.00, and p = 0.008, respectively). Mother’s education (p = 0.005) followed by family income (p = 0.007) was the most affecting social factors. CONCLUSION: There are many nutritional factors associated with stunting as skipping breakfast, not having meals on time, and having <3 meals per day. Scarcity in nutritive foods as eggs and dairy products and increased soft drink intake can lead to stunting. There are many enabling social factors for stunting as mother’s education and family income. However, the effects of these factors can be modified by health awareness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Rusyaidi Azali ◽  
Nor Faiza Mohd Tohit ◽  
Razman Mohd Rus

Introduction: Pediculosis capitis among primary school children is always known as the problem of the lower socio-economic class and rural communities. It carries significant consequences to the school children and caregivers. Limited studies have been conducted among the urban populations. Thus, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and predictors of Pediculosis capitis among Urban primary school children in Kuantan. Materials and method: An analytical cross-sectional study using cluster random sampling was carried out in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. A selfadministered validated questionnaire was issued to the participants with purpose to collect socio-demographic data related to age, gender and factors that associated with head lice infestations among primary school children from standard one to six. It was then followed by hair and scalp examination by a well-trained examiners to check the infestation status. The results were analyzed using the chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 1347 students from 5 schools  were included in this study. Majority of them were males (53.6%), Malays (61.0%), household income between RM1000-RM2999 (32.1%). The overall prevalence was 9.1% (n=122). Multivariate analysis showed that predictors for pediculosis capitis were female gender (OR= 6.02, 95% CI= 2.97-12.21), Indian ethnicity (OR= 5.55 , 95% CI=3.26-9.45), sibling of more than 5 (OR= 2.72 , 95% CI=1.04-7.12) and contact with infested person (OR=2.42, 95% CI=1.58-3.71). Conclusion: The prevalence of Pediculosis capitis among urban primary school children in Kuantan, Pahang is endemic (9.1%) and predictors are female genders, Indian ethnicity, having siblings of more than 5 and contact with infested person. Hence, preventive measures are necessary to reduce the transmission of head lice among school children.


QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M M Magdi ◽  
N A Kotb ◽  
U M Elbarrany ◽  
H S Ramadan ◽  
M A Mowafy

Abstract Background Parents have often showed their interest in the tooth eruption timing. However, the literature suggests that tooth emergence standards should be derived from the population they are to be applied because emergence related factors may vary considerably in dentition. Timing of teeth emergence differs from population to population and can be affected by genetic and environmental factors. Both ethnic origin and gender can be attributed to genetic factors. Objectives The purpose of the present study was to find out the statistical correlation between age, sex and stature to eruption of permanent teeth in a sample of primary school children age (6-&lt;13 years). Methodology: The present study was a cross sectional study that was conducted on 700 healthy school children aged 6 – &lt;13 years selected from different primary schools in two governorates in Egypt; Behera governorate and Giza governorate. Assessment of age, sex and stature was performed through socio – demographic data, anthropometric measures and sequence of permanent teeth eruption. Results The first molars, central incisors, upper lateral incisors, lower canines, second premolars and second molars erupted earlier in Behera (Rural) children. The mandibular teeth tended to precede the maxillary teeth. In Giza (urban) children most of the teeth erupted earlier in girls. In Behera (Rural) children most of the teeth erupted earlier in boys. Conclusion Most of teeth erupted earlier in Behera (rural) and the majority erupted earlier in girls in Giza (urban) and in boys in Behera (rural).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Vincent Mosha ◽  
Elizabeth Kasagama ◽  
Philip Ayieko ◽  
Jim Todd ◽  
Sia Msuya ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Insufficient physical activity is a serious public health concern. Assessing physical activity accurately in children remains a challenge and valid tools for its assessment in African children are needed. This study compares self-reports versus accelerometry-captured physical activity.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 51 primary school children aged 9 – 11 years from four primary schools in Kilimanjaro region were enrolled. Children were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire on physical activity and wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Accelerometry was used as a reference method to assess for child reporting accuracy.Results: Spearman correlation between self-reports and accelerometry was moderate (r=0.41, p=0.002). Children who reported walking to school had higher moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for both accelerometry and self- reports compared to their counterparts (p < 0.001). Intra-class correlation (ICC) showed that 32% of the variations in accelerometry weekly total MVPA was contributed by the differences in activities between children.Conclusions: Objective measures of physical activity such as accelerometers can be used to accurately measure physical activity in children where feasible. Self-reports have limited validity, and therefore more research is needed to develop better self-reported measures with specific activities which can easily be recalled by children.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-107
Author(s):  
OO Osadolor ◽  
◽  
CE Iwuoha ◽  

Background: The purpose of using tooth cleaning aids like chewing stick, toothbrush with locally made powder or fluoride containing toothpaste, is to attain good oral hygiene compatible with good oral health. Aim: To determine the oral hygiene status of public primary school children in a rural community in South-east Nigeria. Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive study of primary school children was done in a public primary school in Nkanu -West local Government Area of Enugu State. Ethical clearance for this study was sought and obtained, all participants who gave their assent were recruited. Socio-demographic data was obtained using interviewer -administered questionnaire. Oral hygiene status was determined using simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S). After data collection, oral hygiene education and tooth brushing demonstrations were done. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20. P values < 0.05 were accepted as being statistically significant. Results: 57(46.3%) males, 66(53.7%) females were seen and examined, giving a male to female ratio of about 1:1.2. The age range of the participants was 8 to 14 years with a mean age of 10.2 ± 1.4 years. The mean OHI-S score was 1.5 ± 0.4. 80 (65.0%) had fair oral hygiene, 41(33.3%) had good oral hygiene while 2(1.7%) had poor oral hygiene status. Majority of the school children brush their teeth once daily, using the horizontal scrub technique. Conclusion: In this study, most of the school children had fair oral hygiene status. Good oral hygiene status was seen more among 9-10 year old children, while fair oral hygiene status was seen more among 10-11 year children. The association between oral hygiene status with age or gender was not statistically significant.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-19
Author(s):  
Osadolor O O

Background: Gingival status is a part of periodontal health. Periodontal health may be defined as absence of gingivitis, periodontitis or other periodontal conditions. Objective: To assess the gingival health status of 11 year old primary school children in a rural community in south -east Nigeria Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive study of 11 year old primary school children was done in a public primary school in Nkanu -West local Government Area of Enugu State. Ethical clearance for this study was sought and obtained. Socio-demographic data was obtained using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Gingival examination was done by a single examiner (k= 0.76), intra examiner calibration (five children per session) was done prior to data collection, The gingival status was assessed according to the gingival index of Loe and Silness. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 20. P values < 0.05 were accepted as being statistically significant Results: 22 (46.3%) females, 28(53.7%) males were seen and examined, giving a female to male ratio of about 1:1.3. 2(4 %) had healthy gingiva, 47(94 %) had mild gingivitis , 1(2 %) had moderate gingivitis and none of the participants had severe gingivitis. Mild gingivitis were seen more in males than females. Majority of the school children duration of tooth brushing was about two minutes. Conclusion: Gingival status is a part of periodontal health. In this study, gingivitis were seen more in males than females, only marginal gingivitis were seen among the school children and none had severe gingivitis. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2021; 11 (1): 16-19


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. e28-e34
Author(s):  
Kevin B. Edem ◽  
Enobong E. Ikpeme ◽  
Mkpouto U. Akpan

AbstractSurveillance of the carrier state for β-hemolytic streptococcal (BHS) throat infections remains essential for disease control. Recent published works from Sub-Saharan Africa have suggested a changing epidemiology in the burden of BHS throat infections. The objective of the present study was therefore to determine the prevalence and pattern of BHS throat carriage in school-aged children in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. This was a prospective cross-sectional study of 276 primary school children in Uyo. Subjects were recruited by multistage random sampling. Obtained throat swabs were cultured on 5% sheep blood agar. Lancefield grouping on positive cultures was done by using the Oxoid Streptococcal Grouping Latex Agglutination Kit, United Kingdom. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done with the disk diffusion method. Associations were tested with Fischer's exact test. The prevalence of BHS carriage was 3.3%. Group C Streptococcus was identified in 89% of isolates and Group G Streptococcus in 11%. Younger age and larger household size were associated with asymptomatic streptococcal throat infections. Antimicrobial susceptibility was highest with cefuroxime and clindamycin (89% of isolates each), while 78% of isolates were susceptible to penicillin. None of the tested isolates was susceptible to co-trimoxazole. The prevalence of streptococcal throat carriage in the study area was low. There were no Group A Streptococcus isolates suggesting an evolving epidemiology of BHS disease in the study area.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Wajiha Anzar ◽  
Ambrina Qureshi ◽  
Ashar Afaq ◽  
Hiba F. Kattan ◽  
Basil Almutairi ◽  
...  

Aim: This study aimed to investigate an association between dental caries status and anthropometric measures in primary school children. Methods and Materials: An analytical cross-sectional study (n = 376) was conducted among primary school children (age range = 6–9 years) registered in private schools. Non-clinical data was gathered from parents of participating children through a self-administered structured questionnaire as well as from the children through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Clinical data included the examination of dental caries using dmft/DMFT index and anthropometric measures including calculated z-scores of height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), BMI-for-age (BAZ), and physical examination. Inferential statistics included Kruskal Wallis and linear regression for univariate and multivariate analysis respectively. Results: The proportion of dental caries in primary and secondary dentition was 67.6% and 8.2% respectively. A significant association was observed between dental caries status and HAZ, WAZ, and BAZ (p < 0.001). An inverse relation was found between low, medium, and high dental caries categories and anthropometric measures. Conclusions: In the primary dentition, dental caries were significantly and inversely related to weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age. Hence, it can be concluded that among the low-income population dental caries is associated with lower anthropometric outcomes in children and therefore caries management should be considered an approach impacting overall health and quality of life.


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