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Abstract: The need for effective community, child weight management interventions continues. The BeeZee Bodies (BZB) family-based child weight management programme for 7-11-year-olds and 12-15–year-olds has been developed iteratively over five years, with quantitative and qualitative evaluations refining the programmes. The aim of this study was to present the experiences and opinions of those taking part in BZB programmes as part of a real world evaluation. Three focus groups, following a semi-structured protocol, were conducted with 20 participants (15 parents, 5 adolescents) 3 months post-intervention. Analyses were thematic, iterative and underpinned by Grounded Theory. Two themes emerged; (1) programme contents, (2) social interactions, with each sub-divided. Parents described increased appreciation of physical activity and dietary components, improvements in parenting and good relationships with personnel. A wide range of positive personal outcomes and changes within the family were perceived by parents and adolescents including: changes in physical activity take-up, eating habits, portion sizes, and an improved understanding of parenting an overweight child. The parenting skills element further enhanced the social cohesion fostered through attendance. There were opportunities to build new friendships for both parents and adolescents, and for parents to interact with their offspring in a different context, all of which supported behaviour change. The BZB programme was viewed by participants as successful and delivered by engaging personnel. Key strengths were social cohesion generated by including parenting sessions and inclusiveness of the physical activities on offer. BZB has been refined in response to qualitative evaluations and reviews and this process continues. Keywords:Child obesity, evaluation, qualitative, focus groups, social impact. |
Editor’s Choice : Assessment of Serum Calcium, Serum Iron and Nutritional Status among Under-Five Children in Six Municipalities of Abidjan District, Côte d’Ivoire
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Abstract: Malnutrition occurs in various forms in the world, especially in African countries. It affects two-thirds of the children in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to the protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), micronutrient deficiencies also affect many children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status, serum iron and serum calcium among under-five children. This study was conducted on a cohort from 480 children in six municipalities of Abidjan: Abobo, Cocody, Koumassi, Marcory, Treichville and Yopougon. A blood sample and anthropometric measurements (weight, height) were performed to determine the hematological profile and nutritional status of children. The results showed that stunting was the most widespread form of malnutrition among children surveyed. Depending on age, children from 0 to 6 months have a low prevalence of PEM than those from 7 to 59 months: wasting (1.2% vs 3.5%), stunting (8.6% vs 25.2%) and underweight (3.4% vs 10.7%). Also, the results reveal a lowest serum iron (µmol/l) among children from low households income (9.77 ± 2.4), illiterate mothers (8.92 ± 1.3) compared to those from mothers with a high level of education (21.75 ± 4.1) and high living standard (21.28 ± 2.1). There was no notable difference (p>0.05) between serum calcium whatever socio-demographic parameters considered. The parameters under study such as nutritional status, serum calcium and serum iron have shown a variation of malnutrition in Abidjan. Keywords: Malnutrition status, prevalence, wasting, stunting, underweight, serum iron and calcium. |
Editor’s Choice : Factors Contributing to Positive Deviance in the Growth of Children in Rural Northern Ghana
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Abstract: Objective: The main aim of the study was to identify factors contributing to positive deviance in growth of children in rural communities of Northern Ghana. Methods: Weassessed factors contributing to nutritional positive deviance among rural poor households by comparing household feeding care practices and health seeking behaviour in families with normal children (that is, neither stunted nor wasted) with children having at least one form of under nutrition. Results:The prevalence of stunting and wasting was 28.0 % (CI: 25.3 - 30.9), and 10.5 % (CI: 9.0 - 12.3) respectively. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for cluster sampling showed that positive deviant children (that is, neither wasted nor stunted) were 2.4 times more likely to have taller (≥160 cm) mothers [AOR 2.38; 95% CI (1.83 - 3.10)]. Female children were significantly more likely to be positive deviant [AOR 1.44; 95% CI (1.17 - 1.77)]. Households using salt of adequate iodine content were more likely to have positive deviant children [AOR 1.36; 95% CI (1.03 - 1.80)]. Conclusion and Recommendation:Positive deviance in child growth was characterized by taller mothers, being a female child, high maternal nutrition knowledge and being resident in the Upper West Region. The persistent high levels of child under nutrition in Northern Ghana can be mediated through a sustainable focused intervention strategy to improve maternal nutrition. Keywords: IYCF practices, nutritional status, positive deviance, maternal height, Northern Ghana. |
Editor’s Choice : Comparison of Maternal Feeding Practices and Child Weight Status in Children from Three Countries
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Abstract: The present study considered three samples of mothers from Brazil, South Korea, and the United States to determine whether mothers demonstrate a consistent pattern of feeding practices associated with child overweight. Participants included 1204 mothers of children 6-10 years old. Mothers completed questionnaires to report their children's demographics and their feeding practices with the Parent Mealtime Action Scale (PMAS). The South Korean children showed significantly less obesity (10.4%) than children from Brazil (17.0%) or the United States (19.6%). Confirmatory factor analysis for mothers from all three samples revealed good fit for the same nine PMAS dimensions of feeding practice. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that after taking into account child age and gender, heavier child weight was found associated with more Fat Reduction and less Insistence on Eating by mothers from all three samples. Results from past experimental research suggest that these two maternal feeding practices would be counter-productive for teaching children's self-regulation of diet and weight management. Alternative maternal feeding practices are suggested. Keywords: Childhood obesity, parent-child relations, feeding practices, obesity prevention, weight management.Download Full Article |
Editor’s Choice : Contribution of Dehydration and Malnutrition to the Mortality of Children 0-59 Month of Age in a Senegalese Pediatric Hospital
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Abstract: In-hospital mortality is an indicator of the quality of care. We analyzed the mortality of under five years children of Pediatric ward of Aristide Le Dantec teaching hospital to update our data, after an previous study conducted ten years earlier. Methods:This was a retrospective study involving children 0-59 months of age, hospitalized from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. For each child, nutritional status was assessed according to 2006 World Health Organization growth standards; clinical and biological data were recorded. The outcome of the disease was specified. Bivariate and multivariable were used to identify risk factors for death. Results:393 children were included. Overall mortality rate was 10% (39/393). Factors associated with death were severe wasting [OR = 8.27, 95% CI [3.79-18], male gender (OR = 2.98, 95% CI [1.25-7.1]), dehydration (OR = 5.4, 95% CI [2.54-13.43]) in the model using the weight-for- height z score, male gender (OR = 2.5, 95% CI [1.11-5.63]), dehydration (OR = 8.43, 95% CI [3.83-18.5]) in using the height- for- age z score, male gender (OR = 2.7, 95% CI [1.19-6.24]), dehydration (OR = 7.5, 95% CI [3.39-16.76]), severe underweight (OR = 2.4, 95% CI [1.11-5.63]), in the model using the weight-for- age z score, and male gender (OR = 2.5, 95% CI [1.11-5.63]), dehydration (OR = 8.43, 95% CI [3.83-18.5]) in that using MUAC. Dehydration and malnutrition are two independent factors of mortality. Our management protocols of dehydration and malnutrition have to be updated. Screening malnutrition has to be done systematically for each child by anthropometric measurements using WHO growth standards. Keywords: Mortality, child malnutrition, dehydration, Senegal.Download Full Article |