scholarly journals Determinants of overweight and obesity among adolescents in Zimbabwe: A scoping review

Author(s):  
Ashleigh Pencil ◽  
Tonderayi Mathew Matsungo ◽  
Naomi Hayami

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern worldwide. Unfortunately, the health interventions remain biased towards addressing undernutrition. Aims: The study aimed to summarize the evidence on the determinants of obesity among adolescents in Zimbabwe. Methods: The Bronfenbrenner socio-ecological model (SEM) was used to classify these determinants: individual, social, environmental, and economic or government policies. The five-stage Arksey and O’Malley review methodology was used to formulate research questions, systematically search, and screen for relevant studies done between 2010 and 2020, data extraction, and summarizing the evidence. Google, PubMed, Google scholar, and United Nations websites were searched to identify relevant studies. The search yielded 22 results. Anthropometric indicators and the determinants assessed in each study were extracted. Results: Only 10 studies explored the determinants of obesity among adolescents in Zimbabwe. The risk of obesity was higher among older adolescents (16-19 years), particularly girls who reside in urban settings. Interestingly, girls had higher nutrition knowledge compared to boys. At the environmental level, fast food consumption, unhealthy snacking, low dietary diversity, carrying a packed lunchbox to school, and using non-active forms of transport to school was associated with obesity. In addition, having formally employed parents, and a small family size increased the odds of obesity. At the societal level, high family income and Christianity increased the rate of obesity. Economic instability appears to drive the availability and consumption of cheap unhealthy foods, particularly within the school environments. Conclusions: Adolescence is a critical stage where obesity starts to increase especially in girls as they graduate into adulthood. Sedentary lifestyles and the adoption of unhealthy dietary decisions appear to be exuberating this obesity problem in urban areas. School-based, family-oriented obesity prevention interventions which address gender discrepancies in eating habits and physical activity are recommended in these and related settings. Keywords: Adolescents, obesity, socio-ecological model, malnutrition, Zimbabwe.

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2961
Author(s):  
Nafissatou Cisse Egbuonye ◽  
Ariun Ishdorj ◽  
E.L.J. McKyer ◽  
Rahma Mkuu

Malnutrition is a major public health concern in Niger. The stunting rate in children in Niger is over 50%, one of the highest in the world. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine children’s dietary diversity (CDD) and the maternal factors that impact CDD. A total of 1265 mother–child pairs were analyzed. Descriptive analysis was conducted to present maternal and child characteristics. To compare the mean scores of CDD in relation to the region, an independent sample t-test was conducted. A one-way ANOVA test was conducted to evaluate the CDD score by different age groups. A linear regression model was estimated to identify household, maternal and child factors that affect the CDD score. Our results indicate that most of the participants of our survey resided in rural areas and the majority (80.7%) of the mothers had no education. Factors such as region, children’s age, woman’s empowerment, vitamin A intake and wealth index were significant predictors of CDD (p < 0.05). The children residing in rural areas were more likely to have lower CDD scores (p < 0.05) than the children in urban areas, therefore becoming more susceptible to malnutrition.


2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1306-1317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hajer Aounallah-Skhiri ◽  
Habiba Ben Romdhane ◽  
Pierre Traissac ◽  
Sabrina Eymard-Duvernay ◽  
Francis Delpeuch ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the nutritional status of Tunisian adolescents and associated factors.DesignA cross-sectional study based on a national stratified random cluster sample.Subjects and methodsIn all, 1295 boys and 1577 girls aged 15–19 years, of whom 28·4 % had already left school. Socio-economic characteristics of the parents, anthropometric measurements, food behaviours and physical activity of the adolescents were recorded during home visits.ResultsPrevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity (WHO/National Center for Health Statistics reference) were, respectively, 8·1 %, 17·4 % and 4·1 % among boys and 1·3 %, 20·7 % and 4·4 % among girls; abdominal obesity was highly prevalent among both sexes. Prevalence of overweight differed by region (from 11·5 % to 22·2 %) and was higher in urban v. rural areas for males (21·7 % v. 10·4 %) but not for females (21·7 % v. 19·2 %). These differences were partially mediated by socio-economic and lifestyle factors for males. For females, influence of cultural factors is hypothesised. In rural areas, overweight was more prevalent among boys of higher economic level households, having a working mother or a sedentary lifestyle; for girls, prevalence increased with the level of education of the mother. In urban areas, prevalence of overweight was related to eating habits: it was higher for boys with irregular snacking habits and for girls skipping daily meals. Urban girls having left school were also more overweight.ConclusionOverweight and abdominal obesity in late adolescence have become a true public health problem in Tunisia with the combined effects of cultural tradition for girls in rural areas, and of rapid economic development for boys and girls in cities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1048-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert Sagbo ◽  
Didier Koumavi Ekouevi ◽  
Dorland Tafitarilova Ranjandriarison ◽  
Serge Niangoran ◽  
Tchaa Abalo Bakai ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveOverweight and obesity in childhood are serious public health issues, both in developing and developed countries. The present study aimed to ascertain overweight and obesity prevalence rates among Togolese schoolchildren in Lomé, Togo, and their correlation with physical activity, socio-economic conditions and eating habits.DesignCross-sectional survey conducted in December 2015. Overweight and obesity were defined using age- and sex-specific BMI cut-off points of the International Obesity Task Force. Physical activity, socio-economic conditions and eating habits were assessed with a standardized questionnaire. Specially trained medical students interviewed children and collected the data. After bivariate regression analyses, factors associated with overweight/obesity were identified by multivariate logistic regression. Statistical significance was two-sided P<0·05.SettingLomé, Togo.SubjectsRepresentative sample of 634 children (288 boys, 346 girls), aged 8–17 years, who were studying in primary schools.ResultsOverweight and obesity respectively affected 5·2 and 1·9 % of children surveyed. Watching television (>4 h) on weekends (OR; 95 % CI: 3·8; 1·2, 12·0, P=0·02) and medium dietary diversity score (3·0; 1·1, 8·1, P=0·03) were independently associated with overweight/obesity in a multivariate regression model. Eating breakfast in the school cafeteria (0·2; 0·1, 0·8, P=0·03) and eating fruits (0·4; 0·1, 0·9, P=0·03) significantly reduced the risk of overweight/obesity.ConclusionsOverweight and obesity prevalence were linked with sedentary behaviour and non-optimal food diversity. Promoting physical activity and fruit consumption should be explored as interventions to reduce and prevent overweight and obesity in Lomé schoolchildren. In addition, preventive approaches in the social environment of children should be considered.


Author(s):  
E.А. Tsukareva ◽  
А.V. Avchinnikov ◽  
I.L. Alimova ◽  
D.A. Avchinnikova

A hygienic assessment of the eating habits of younger schoolchildren of Smolensk was carried out. A survey of 307 schoolchildren of 3–4 grades with various parameters of physical development in the field of nutrition and lifestyle was carried out. The respondents’ diet showed: insufficient and irregular consumption of food – sources of animal protein (meat, milk and dairy products, fish), lack of vegetables, popularity of fast-food products, sweets and sweet carbonated drinks. The violations in the diet and the level of motor activity are most pronounced in the group of children with overweight and obesity. The results confirm the need to develop preventive measures aimed at developing a healthy eating culture among schoolchildren.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7428
Author(s):  
Malik Orou Seko ◽  
Andrée Prisca Ndjoug Ndour ◽  
Walter Ossebi ◽  
Jasmina Saric ◽  
Katharina Kreppel ◽  
...  

Accelerated socio-economic and demographic changes have led to the transformation of eating habits in sub-Saharan African cities including Dakar, Senegal. The result is the proliferation of informal fast-food establishments, such as the ‘dibiteries’ serving braised sheep meat. However, owing to poor hygiene practices, consumption of dibiterie meat poses a public health concern. It was unclear how the dibiterie meat quality and safety were perceived among customers who define their own purchasing social norms. A total of 165 meat consumers were randomly selected and interviewed, from 165 dibiteries sampled by convenience in the Dakar region using a structured questionnaire. Results showed that purchase decisions were guided by trust in the salesperson’s expertise, the taste of the product, perceived risk of meat contamination, tenderness, price, the nutritional value, the smell and the colour and freshness of the meat. The perceived quality and safety of dibiterie meat was expressed by the ‘organoleptic quality’, ‘environment and service’ and ‘price and trust of the product’s safety’ factors. The majority of consumers (61%) were ‘less concerned’ about the safety of dibiterie meat, and the acceptable price range of the product was between $5.08 and $7.62. As this food product is gaining popularity in Dakar and the majority of our participating consumers do not show high levels of concern, we suggest stricter standards.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Katiya Ivanovitch ◽  
Sonemany Keolangsy ◽  
Nontiya Homkham

Introduction. In recent decades, the developing countries of Southeast Asia, including the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), have experienced a rapid growth of their urban population. Partly as a result of that, issues of undernutrition and overnutrition became a significant public health problem. Objective. To examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their related factors, among the school-attending adolescents in the Lao capital of Vientiane. Methods. A cross-sectional data on 300 adolescents aged 15–19 were collected during the months of March, April, and May 2018 by means of a self-administrated questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were used to obtain data on height and weight. Pearson’s chi-squared test, Fisher exact tests, and univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were applied in the course of the statistical analysis. Results. The study found a high prevalence of overweight/obesity (23.3%) and thinness (10.3%). Poor eating habits were noted in 67.0% of adolescents, even though 78.0% of them had a good knowledge of nutrition. Factors significantly associated with the overweight/obesity were low physical activities (aOR = 18.3; 95% CI: 5.51–60.66) and adolescents living with their guardians (aOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.08–0.79). Results also indicated that, in 47.3% of the cases, teachers, acting as a source of health and nutrition information, can prevent the risk of adolescents’ overweight/obesity (aOR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.11–3.80) but not their thinness (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.17–0.88). Conclusions. Laotian adolescents are facing the spectrum of malnutrition in urban areas. To improve adolescents’ nutritional status, there is a need for a collaborative approach of public health agencies that would address the issues of an effective food and nutrition policy. The school curricula should also include programs on nutrition and physical education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 2598
Author(s):  
Ansh Chaudhary ◽  
Aarati Pokale ◽  
A. P. S. Narula ◽  
Bhupendra Chaudhary ◽  
Ankita Misra ◽  
...  

Background: Obesity is defined as the abnormal growth of adipose tissue due to enlargement of fat cell size or increase in their number or a combination of both. Adolescents are nutritionally vulnerable age group considering their increased nutritional needs, eating patterns, lifestyle and susceptibility to environmental influences. The present study was conducted with aims to access the prevalence of overweight and obesity among urban adolescents and to study various factors associated with overweight and obesity.Methods: A community based cross sectional study of 872 adolescents of both sexes in urban population of Pune, Maharashtra, India was conducted to assess prevalence and various factors influencing overweight and obesity, especially type of diet, frequency of junk foods, physical activity and sleeping habits. The Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) were used to define overweight and obesity as per WHO growth standards.Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in urban adolescents according to BMI were 17.4% and 6.9% respectively with overall prevalence being 24.3% but with Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) it was 43.1%. Risk factors in urban areas were consumption of fast/junk food, carbonated drink, physical inactivity while afternoon sleep was not a significant factor.Conclusions: This study showed an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in urban adolescents especially in those who have more consumption of fast food, carbonated drink, those who were either inactive or engaged in physical activity for less than 30 min/day were strongly associated with overweight and obesity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed A. Albin Saleh ◽  
Aqeel S. Alhaiz ◽  
Ataur Rahman Khan ◽  
Abdulkareem J Al-Quwaidhi ◽  
Majdi Aljasim ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES: To estimate obesity prevalence among children and adolescents in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia for the year 2016 and to determine the related preventable risk factors.METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study (using stratified random sampling representing different geographical areas of Al-Ahsa) through a self-administered questionnaire. It included 240 male students aged (7–15) years old from public primary and intermediate schools in Al-Ahsa governorate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Anthropometric measurements of weight and height were taken for all the study participants. Body mass index (BMI) and its percentile was determined using Saudi won growth charts of the corresponding age and sex.RESULTS: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 29.6% (10.8% overweight, 3.8% obese, and 15% extremely obese). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly associated with early childhood obesity, parental obesity, mother's employment, family income, number of snacks and fast food consumption, physical inactivity, and time spent in watching television. Other factors (namely, eating during emotional stress, family gathering on meals, and regular eating times) were having independently significant association.CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to spread awareness about obesity, and the prevention programs that involving schools and families are the key strategy for controlling the current epidemic of obesity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Jonczyk ◽  
Magdalena Potempa-Jeziorowska ◽  
Elżbieta Świętochowska ◽  
Marek Kucharzewski

Abstract Background The nutrition disorders in the children’s population, in the form of malnutrition, as well as overweight and obesity constitute a significant clinical problem in the contemporary world. As a result of the improper way of children’s nutrition, their physical and mental development becomes dysfunctional, which leads in their adult life to serious health consequences, among others, complications of cardiovascular system, metabolic and endocrinological and disorders, improper development of osteoarticular system and mental diseases and social withdrawal. Results Five hundred eighty-nine parents of children aged 10–13 participated in the survey questionnaire, where 304 respondents were constituted by girls (51.61%); however, the remaining 285 people were represented by boys (48.39%). It turned out that overweight and obesity concern approximately 44% of respondents; however, approximately 22% of children have too low body weight in relation to age and sex. While analysing dietary habits, it was observed that main meals are not consumed by all children; breakfast is consumed by approximately 90% of respondents, packed lunch just by 70% and lunch and supper by 90% of respondents. In the course of subsequent analyses, it turned out that over ¾ of respondents declared that their child drinks mineral water every day, only approximately 44% of them drink milk every day; however, almost 18% of children reach for sweet drinks. Children eat sweet or salty snacks too often (over 55% every day or several times a week), resigning from consuming fruit and vegetables (just half of respondents every day), fish and brown bread (below 30% of children eat these products less than once a week); every fifth child dedicates less than 3 h to physical activity, 39% of respondents do exercise from 3 to 5 h a week, the next 25% from 5 to 10 h. Conclusions It was observed in the analysed population that over half of them struggle with the degree of nutrition disorders in the form of overweight and obesity or malnutrition. We may conclude, based on the obtained results, that children have inappropriate dietary habits, consuming too small quantities of fruit and vegetables, brown bread, fish and drinking improper quantities of water and milk. Repeatedly, they replace these full-value products by consuming sweets and salty snacks and by drinking sweet drinks, they also more and more often reach for processed food in fast food bars. What is worrying, it was also observed that in the analysed population, children dedicate too little of their free time to physical activity and additional physical activities.


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