Undernutrition is a global public health challenge. In Somalia, undernutrition is chronic with the situation often graded for emergency response. The purpose of this study was to provide contextual evidence regarding trends of prevalence and predictors of undernutrition in South Central Somalia. Following the UNICEF conceptual framework of determinants of undernutrition, the study examined which individual, household, and society factors were associated with undernutrition. Using secondary data from cross-sectional nutritional surveys implemented by the Somalia Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit from 2007 to 2012, a sample of 75,756 and 60,856 children aged 6-59 months was used in analyzing trends in prevalence and predictors of undernutrition respectively. Linear regression was used to examine trends, while Generalized Estimation Equations were used to determine predictors of undernutrition. Results of this study showed that from 2007 to 2012, there was a declining trend in the prevalence of stunting (R2 = 0.73; p < 0.05) while there was no significant trend in terms of underweight and wasting. When individual, household, and society factors were considered simultaneously, diarrhea, child gender, diet diversity, and minimum meal frequency were significant predictors of underweight; child gender and meal frequency significantly predicted stunting while wasting was significantly predicted by diarrhea, malaria, and diet diversity. Geographical region and livelihood system were significant predictors of undernutrition. The study findings provide evidence to inform nutrition policy and programs that could result in eliminating disparities in child nutrition and reducing undernutrition, ultimately improving survival and development of children in Somalia.

Thesis (MPH.) --University of Limpopo, 2008. / Childhood malnutrition is one of the conditions that have been identified by the world health organisation to be given high priority in terms of their control and management. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of childhood malnutrition in a rural village of Regae in the Limpopo province. The study found that stunting and underweight are 17.5% whilst wasting is at 12.9% in the village. Key words: childhood malnutrition, stunting, wasting, underweight, socioeconomic factors, educational level. / N/A

The aim of child health care is to promote health and development for all children, to early identify problems that concern children´s growth and development and to prevent ill-health among children. Today in our society the proportion of children who are underweight are few. The aim with this study was to describe paediatric nurses experience in meeting with underweight children and their parents. Interviews were implemented and analyzed according to qualitative content analysis. Focus was placed on looking at differences and interpretations in the text content. The analyse resulted in six main categories, such as a need of sensitivity and a holistic view from the nurse, difficulties in handling the meeting because lack of tools. A positive experience which facilitated the meeting was the emotional sensitivity from the parents. In their work the nurses used different facilities. It was also described how the nurse influenced the meeting with the family. It would be desirable to have guidelines for how to handle underweight children. / Övergripande syftet för verksamheten inom barnhälsovården är att främja hälsa och utveckling hos alla barn, att tidigt kunna identifiera problem som rör barns tillväxt och utveckling samt att förebygga ohälsa hos barn. Andelen barn som är underviktiga i dagens samhälle är få. Syftet med studien var att beskriva BVC-sjuksköterskors efrarenheter i möten med underviktiga barn och deras föräldrar. Intervjuer genomfördes och analyserades enligt kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Fokus lades på att se skillnader och likheter i textinnehållet. Resultatet av analysen beskrevs i sex huvudkategorier. Det framkom att det krävdes en stor lyhördhet för de enskilda individerna av sjuksköterskan och att sjuksköterskan upplevde det som svårt att hantera mötet på grund av brist på redskap. Ändå upplevdes det som positivt då föräldrarna var lyhörda för sjuksköterskornas råd. Det framkom även att sjuksköterskorna upplevde en stor oro hos föräldrarna och att sjuksköterskorna arbetade utifrån en helhetssyn på barnen. I sitt arbete med det undervikitga barnet använde sig sjuksköterskan av olika hjälpmedel och de beskrev även hur sjuksköterskan påverkar mötet med familjen. Det vore önskvärt att det arbetades fram ett vårprogram med riktlinjer för omhändertagandet av underviktiga barn.

<p>The aim of child health care is to promote health and development for all children, to early identify problems that concern children´s growth and development and to prevent ill-health among children. Today in our society the proportion of children who are underweight are few.</p><p>The aim with this study was to describe paediatric nurses experience in meeting with underweight children and their parents. Interviews were implemented and analyzed according to qualitative content analysis. Focus was placed on looking at differences and interpretations in the text content. The analyse resulted in six main categories, such as a need of sensitivity and a holistic view from the nurse, difficulties in handling the meeting because lack of tools. A positive experience which facilitated the meeting was the emotional sensitivity from the parents. In their work the nurses used different facilities. It was also described how the nurse influenced the meeting with the family.</p><p>It would be desirable to have guidelines for how to handle underweight children.</p> / <p>Övergripande syftet för verksamheten inom barnhälsovården är att främja hälsa och utveckling hos alla barn, att tidigt kunna identifiera problem som rör barns tillväxt och utveckling samt att förebygga ohälsa hos barn. Andelen barn som är underviktiga i dagens samhälle är få.</p><p>Syftet med studien var att beskriva BVC-sjuksköterskors efrarenheter i möten med underviktiga barn och deras föräldrar. Intervjuer genomfördes och analyserades enligt kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Fokus lades på att se skillnader och likheter i textinnehållet. Resultatet av analysen beskrevs i sex huvudkategorier. Det framkom att det krävdes en stor lyhördhet för de enskilda individerna av sjuksköterskan och att sjuksköterskan upplevde det som svårt att hantera mötet på grund av brist på redskap. Ändå upplevdes det som positivt då föräldrarna var lyhörda för sjuksköterskornas råd. Det framkom även att sjuksköterskorna upplevde en stor oro hos föräldrarna och att sjuksköterskorna arbetade utifrån en helhetssyn på barnen. I sitt arbete med det undervikitga barnet använde sig sjuksköterskan av olika hjälpmedel och de beskrev även hur sjuksköterskan påverkar mötet med familjen.</p><p>Det vore önskvärt att det arbetades fram ett vårprogram med riktlinjer för omhändertagandet av underviktiga barn.</p>

Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Orientador: Maria Beatriz Duarte Gavião / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T02:37:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tureli_MariaClaudiadeMorais_M.pdf: 2059123 bytes, checksum: 5b00c7ae2d1b33f6de4a030892dc51d4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: A dificuldade na mastigação é o mecanismo mais provável pelo qual as condições precárias de saúde bucal podem afetar a alimentação. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a performance mastigatória em 97 crianças na faixa etária de 08 a 12 anos de idade, considerando as categorias de Índice de Massa de Corporal (IMC) e as condições dentárias. Além disso, as variáveis sociodemográficas foram obtidas para associar às categorias do IMC. As condições dentárias foram avaliadas pelo índice CPOD/ceo e o número de dentes presentes. A performance mastigatória foi determinada pela mastigação de 17 cubos do material teste Optocal (3 cm3) durante 20 ciclos mastigatórios. O grau de fragmentação foi determinado pelo método da peneiragem fragmentada, obtendo-se o valor mediano (X50) das partículas e a distribuição destas nas peneiras (b). As crianças foram submetidas à avaliação antropométrica, com medida do peso corporal e altura para cálculo do IMC (kg/m2). Os percentis das curvas de crescimento foram utilizados como referência para definição dos grupos, de acordo com as seguintes categorias: "obesos" (IMC = percentil 95); "sobrepeso" (percentil 85 = IMC < percentil 95); peso "normal" (percentil 5 = IMC < percentil 85); "baixo" peso (IMC < percentil 5). O grau de escolaridade das mães foi categorizado em primeiro grau (até oito anos de escolaridade) e segundo grau (até onze anos de escolaridade). As condições socioeconômicas foram classificadas de acordo com oito classes econômicas (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D e E), onde a classe A representa o maior poder aquisitivo. Os dados foram comparados entre os grupos pela análise de variância e teste de Tukey como post-hoc. Coeficientes de Pearson e Spearman, teste Qui-quadrado e análise de regressão logística múltipla foram também aplicados. Os resultados mostraram que o grupo com peso "normal" apresentou valor de X50 significativamente menor que o grupo "sobrepeso e obeso", denotando melhor performance mastigatória; no entanto, não se observou diferença significativa com o grupo "baixo" peso. As comparações dos valores de "b", CPOD, ceo e número de dentes não mostraram diferença significativa. A maioria das famílias pertencia à classe socioeconômica baixa em todos os grupos e o número de mães com primeiro grau de escolaridade foi significantemente maior em relação às do segundo grau nos grupos com peso "normal" e "sobrepeso e obeso". O valor de X50 apresentou correlação negativa e significativa com a idade no grupo "baixo" peso e correlação positiva com o CPOD no grupo peso "normal". As crianças com peso considerado abaixo do normal apresentaram risco maior de performance mastigatória mais deficitária do que o grupo "normal" (OR = 1.87). Para as outras variáveis o risco foi similar, assim como para o grupo "sobrepeso e obeso". Concluiu-se que crianças com sobrepeso/obesas apresentaram pior performance mastigatória do que as com peso "normal". A condição de pior performance mastigatória foi significativamente associada com o grupo de "baixo" peso e com as condições dos dentes permanentes em crianças com peso "normal". O nível socioeconômico e o grau de escolaridade não tiveram associação com as categorias do IMC. / Abstract: Difficulty in chewing is probably the most likely mechanism by which poor oral health status may affect dietary intake, thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the masticatory performance in 97 children aged from 8 to 12 years considering the categories of Body Mass Index (BMI) and dental conditions. Furthermore, socio-demographic variables were taken into account for associating with the categories of BMI. Dental conditions were appraised by DMFT/dmf and number of teeth. The masticatory performance was determined by chewing 17 cubes of chewable test material (3 cm3) over the course of 20 cycles. The degree of fragmentation was determined by the sieving method, for obtaining the median particle size (X50) and broadness of distribution (b). BMI was calculated as the body weight (kg) divided by the height squared (m2) and put into the respective Growth Charts for determining the percentiles. The following categories were considered: "obese" (BMI = 95th percentile); "overweight" (85th percentile = BMI < 95th percentile); "normal" weight (5th percentile = BMI < 85th percentile); "underweight" (BMI < 5th percentile). Maternal schooling was categorized in first degree (until eight years of schooling) and second degree (until eleven years of schooling). Socioeconomic status was classified according to eight economic classes (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D and E), where class A is of larger purchasing power. The data were compared among groups by ANOVA and Tukey's test as post-hoc. Pearson and Spearman's coefficients, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were also applied. The results showed that "normal" group presented significant smaller X50 than the "overweight and obese" group, meaning a better masticatory performance, whereas no significant difference was observed with "underweight" group. Comparisons of "b", DMFT, dmf and number of teeth showed no significant differences among groups. The most of the families belonged to very low economic class in all groups and the number of mothers with first degree was significant larger than the ones with second degree, in "normal" and "overweight and obese" groups. Age showed a negative and significant correlation with X50 in the "underweight" group. DMFT showed a positive and significant correlation with X50 in "normal" group. Underweight children are at higher relative risk of exhibiting poor masticatory performance than "normal" weight children (OR = 1.87). For other variables the risks were similar, as well as for "overweight and obese" children. It was concluded that "overweight/obese" children presented lower masticatory performance than "normal" children. Poor masticatory performance had a significant relationship with being "underweight" and with the conditions of permanent teeth in "normal" children. Economic class and years of schooling were not associated with BMI categories. / Mestrado / Odontopediatria / Mestre em Odontologia

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As alterações da composição corporal em adolescentes, baixo peso e excesso, são importantes problemas de saúde pública que merecem atenção da sociedade, pois trazem consigo diversas morbidades associadas e uma alta letalidade para a saúde humana. Para prevenção e combate destas alterações faz-se necessário estudos que diagnostiquem o perfil da composição corporal entre e dentre as populações. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar o atual perfil da composição corporal de adolescentes escolares da rede pública federal de ensino do estado de Roraima entre quatorze e vinte e um anos de idade. Para isto foram mensurados o índice de massa corporal (IMC), a circunferência da cintura e o estilo de vida desta amostra. Assim foram realizadas coletas em quatro das cinco instituições federais de ensino de Roraima. A análise dos dados foi feita pelo software SPSS, onde foram estimadas as múltiplas correlações bivariadas, as correlações de Pearson e ANOVA. Por meio destes recursos estatísticos foram estimadas a prevalência, incidência, variância e diferenças entre as médias encontradas, adotando-se significância estatística para p<0,05 e p<0,01. A média de IMC encontrada foi de 21,7, caracterizado como normal. A circunferência da cintura média foi de 70,59, também caracterizada como normal. Já o risco cintura quadril teve como resultado médio o índice 0,86, que representa um alto risco para o aparecimento de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Sobre o estilo de vida da amostra identificou-se práticas cotidianas inadequadas, o que pode contribuir para alterações na composição corporal desta amostra. A análise dos resultados permite concluir que não há altas médias de IMC e de CC, no entanto trata-se de uma amostra aparentemente saudável mas com tendências inadequadas para seu estilo de vida.

Master of Public Health - MPH / A matched case-control study was carried out to identify the factors associated with the nutritional status of children in Livingstone district, Zambia. A trained field researcher collected data on demographic, feeding practices and socio-economic factors in matched groups of underweight children and normal weight children from the mothers/caregivers of the children. Interviews, using a structured pre-tested questionnaire, were used to obtain the data. All children aged from six to fifty-nine months admitted at Livingstone General Hospital during the months of October to December, 2003 with a weight for age below &ndash;2SD from the median of the reference population formed the underweight children (cases). The total was 47 children. The cases were then matched according to sex and age to 47 normal weight children attending the under five clinic at Livingstone General Hospital during the same months, with a weight for age above &ndash;2SD from the median of the reference population (controls). The final sample was 94 children. Weights were recorded using the same scale in the outpatient&rsquo;s department prior to admission and during the under five clinic session. Interviews then took place in a separate room after the clinic nurse had attended them. A separate visit was then made to the homes of the children on a different day. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to measure strengths of associations. Results revealed that the basic causes of underweight were the poor economic state of the country, unfavorable policies and insufficient government support in the areas of health, education, agriculture, housing and employment. Underlying causes were inadequate access to food, inadequate care of children, poor access to health services and unhealthy living environments, while immediate causes were poor food intake and disease. Low educational and literacy levels of the mothers/caregivers, unemployment and lack of sufficient finances to access basic necessities such as food, housing and health contributed to underweight. / South Africa

Magister Economicae - MEcon / Kenya has continued to record decreasing child mortality rates in recent years, with available data showing that the under-five mortality rate was 85 per 1000 live births in 2010, down from 117 in 1997 (World Bank, 2012). However, the country continues to battle with poor anthropometric status of children (stunting, wasting and underweight). The country also faces high incidences of food insecurity. It is estimated that one third of the country’s population is food and nutrition insecure, with about 10 million of Kenyans suffering from chronic food insecurity (ROK, 2011). The worst affected are children, who are deprived of sufficient nutrients required for proper growth and development. This study seeks to analyse the relationship between household food security and the anthropometric status of children. Specific objectives include identifying the prevalence and predictors of poor anthropometry, identifying the extent of food insecurity in the country and investigating the link between food security and the anthropometric status of children. The research uses data from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey (2005/2006). The survey which was carried out for a period of 12 months covered the entire country and collected data on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the households. It also collected data on child anthropometric measurements and households’ food consumption patterns. The statistical software package STATA SE v.12 is used to run ordinary linear (OLS) and logistical regressions in order to analyse the relationship between household food security and the anthropometric status of children. Results show that the prevalence of malnutrition is high in the country with stunting coming out as the main form of malnutrition. Dietary diversity, a measure of food security, is found to be highest in the urban areas. Results from the regression analysis show that a Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) is positively associated with better anthropometry, with the prevalence of malnutrition decreasing with an increase in the score. The study also found that other risk factors associated with poor anthropometry are age of the child, gender, area of residence, diarrhoea, education, household size and income. The paper concludes with suggestions on measures that need to be put in place to curb child malnutrition.