Nutritional status of institutionalized Venezuelan elderly

With the aim of evaluating the nutritional status of institutionalized elders in different geriatric units of the metropolitan area of Caracas, 126 subjects with ages between 60 and 96 years old were evaluated. The Mini Nutritional Assessment was applied and were identified 48.4% individuals with nutritional risk, 5.6% malnourished and 46% without nutritional problems. Females presented higher prevalences of malnutrition and risk, while males presented an adequate nutritional state. By sex and age, females and males over 80 years presented a higher prevalence of malnutrition and risk when they were compared whit those younger. A low dayly liquid intake, a BMI equal or under of 23 kg/m2 and a limited physical performance were the items that presented the highest prevalence among the studied elders. In conclusion, the high prevalence of malnutrition risk in this population group, remarks the necessity to include into the global geriatric evaluation, a quick, simple and non-invasive instrument that allows to estimate the nutritional status of the elders.     

Influence of nutritional status on CAPD peritonitis

To investigate the effect of nutritional status of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients on the development of peritonitis, a cross-sectional study of the nutritional status of 79 CAPD patients and a retrospective study on the incidence of peritonitis in these patients were done. The incidences of peritonitis were compared according to the nutritional status of these patients on CAPD. Protein-caloric malnutrition assessed by a score system based on triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, serum albumin level and relative body weight was demonstrated in 27 patients (34%) among 79 total CAPD patients. The incidence of peritonitis was significantly higher in poor nutritional status patients, with 1.09 +/- 0.86/patient-year, than that in normal nutritional status patients with 0.64 +/- 0.72/patient-year (p less than 0.05). In patients with the same nutritional status, patients using Dianeal solution had a trend of a lower incidence of peritonitis than those using Peritosol solution. In conclusion, the nutritional status and possibly the type of CAPD solution may influence CAPD peritonitis as risk factors.     

Association of Body Fat with Inflammation in Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) frequently leads to body weight gain, which appears to be a potential cause of the chronic inflammation frequently present in these patients. The consequences of this inflammation are impaired nutritional status, accelerated atherosclerosis, and increased mortality. To assess the association between inflammation and body fat in female patients treated with PD. Nineteen female patients on PD for at least 6 months with no infectious complications or malignant or acute inflammatory diseases. Nutritional status was determined by measuring weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist (WC), and mid-arm circumferences (MAC), mid-arm muscle area, and tricipital fold (TCF). Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) was used to determine body composition. Biochemical evaluation included the determination of serum albumin, urea, creatinine, and C-reactive protein (CRP). The glucose absorbed from the dialysis solution was quantitated. According to BMI, two patients were classified as malnourished and ten as overweight/obese. Sixteen individuals had high WC measurements and 12 had excess body fat (BF) as measured by BIA. High CRP levels were observed in 12 patients, who had higher WC, MAC, BMI, TCF, and BF measurements compared to non-inflamed patients. Positive associations were detected between CRP and BMI, MAC, WC, and TCF. Associations between BF and CRP suggest that adiposity may be a potent exacerbating factor of inflammation in this population, especially visceral fat. Thus, obesity may be considered to be one more factor responsible for the early atherosclerosis and high cardiovascular mortality observed in these patients.     

Pulmonary function of herdsmen

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the pulmonary function deficit documented previously in Fulani children is also present in adult Fulani herdsmen in northern Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects for this study consisted of adult Fulani men from the hamlet of Magama Gumau and adult non-Fulani men from the city of Jos. Age, height, weight, mid-arm circumference (MAC), triceps skin-fold thickness, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC maneuver (FEF25-75%), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and FEV1/FVC were calculated for all subjects. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify correlations between pulmonary function parameters and anthropometric variables. RESULTS: The 44 Fulani subjects and 28 urban subjects were well-matched for age and height. The Fulani men weighed significantly less than the urban men (58.5+/-9.4 versus 67.4+/-11.3 kg, p <0.001) and consequently had significantly lower BMI, MAC, and triceps skin-fold thickness. The only significant difference in pulmonary function parameters between the two groups was in FEV1/FVC (0.93+/-0.1 versus 0.85+/-0.1, p <0.001). Small but significant correlations were found between pulmonary function parameters and anthropometric variables for both study populations. CONCLUSIONS: The pulmonary function deficits documented previously in Fulani children and adolescents were not present in adult Fulani men. However, the observed elevation in FEV1/FVC in the rural Fulani men as compared to their urban counterparts, which is often seen in restrictive pulmonary patterns, deserves further study.     

Accuracy of anthropometric estimation of muscle cross-sectional area of the arm in males

Mid-arm cross-sectional muscle area was studied in several domains to evaluate nutritional status and muscle area and hypertrophy in revalidation and strength-related studies. In this study, anthropometrically determined muscle + bone area formulas were validated against Houndsfield unit-based CT-scan measures at mid-humerus (stretched and relaxed), and mid-humerus -3 and -6 cm positions in 75 healthy male twins. Muscle + bone area estimates calculated by mid-arm circumference and the triceps skinfold (MBA.ANg, MBA.ANh) underestimated muscle area determined by CT imaging (MUS.CT) at all scans. The formula, including triceps and biceps skinfold (MBA.ANf), was in closer agreement with MUS.CT. It is therefore suggested that both the biceps and triceps skinfolds (or additional arm skinfolds) be used to estimate muscle area at the mid-arm position. The results emphasize the use of (nonremovable) landmarks in longitudinal studies that consider mid-arm muscle cross-sectional area, since the muscle area in three scans over a 6 cm region of the upper arm differs substantially and is in the same range as expected hypertrophic changes after short-term resistance training programs. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 9:73–86 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Anthropometric data indicate nutritional homogeneity in Hadza foragers of Tanzania.

We analyzed body mass index (BMI = wt/height(2)) and percent body fat (BF%) in adults of the Hadza, an egalitarian society with a strong food-sharing ethic, to examine variation in energetic status in relation to sex, age, and time of year. Data collected from 26 camps over six field seasons gave a cross-sectional sample of 238 males and 235 females and a small longitudinal sample (n = 54). We found that mean BMI showed no sex difference [20.1 +/- 1.6 (SD) kg/m(2) for males and 20.3 +/- 2.2 kg/m(2) for females] and remained similar, regardless of age or time of year. Mean BF% showed a significant sex difference, as expected [10.6 +/- 3.2 (SD) % for males and 19.0 +/- 7.0% for females (P < 0.0001)], with two significant age departures from uniformity: (1) males in the prime age group (30-45 years, n = 79) had a higher mean BF% (11.7%) compared to other ages (P < 0.03), and (2) females in the extreme elderly age group (> 75 years, n = 11) had a lower mean BF% (11.3%) compared to other ages (P < 0.004). In the longitudinal sample, we found no significant change over time in mean BMI or BF%. However, relative change in BF% fluctuated within individuals by as much as 20% of initial values for both sexes. Taken collectively, our results support the idea of broad nutritional homogeneity among the Hadza, but indicate that subtle, potentially important differences in energetic condition exist as well.     

Anthropometric assessment of nutritional status among highland Kashmiri children: Reevaluating the assumption of female nutritional disadvantage

As part of a larger project investigating the health of rural villagers in Kashmir, India anthropometric data were collected from 132 residents of the highland village of Basmina. Here data for 70 children (53% of the total sample) less than 10 years old are examined and compared to United States reference data and presented as a percentage of the median and Z-scores to describe nutritional status differences by age and sex. Overall, these children maintain indices of weight/age, stature/age, and arm circumference (AC)/age at almost ?2.0 Z-scores or more below reference medians. Weight/height and triceps skinfold/age approximate ?1.4 and ?1.3 Z-scores below the median, respectively. These data along with clinical observations suggest that the Basmina sample is low normal to mildly malnourished. However, preschool children show evidence of moderate and severe malnutrition. The entire child sample shows a higher prevalence of malnutrition when compared to other populations living under similar conditions. The results are contrary to the belief that Indian girls are at a nutritional disadvantage when compared to boys. In fact, preschool girls maintain higher, though not significant, percentages of weight/age, weight/height, and AC/age. Girls between 5 and 10 years old also maintain a higher triceps/age index. On the other hand, boys between 5 and 10 years old maintain a higher stature/age index, but the difference is not statistically significant.     

The relationship between plasma leptin and nutritional status in chronic hemodialysis patients

Leptin serves an important role in suppressing appetite in mice and is known to be elevated in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. But clinical significance of leptin as an appetite-reducing uremic toxin, remains to be determined. So we studied the relationship between plasma leptin and nutritional status in 46 chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Pre HD leptin was measured and divided by body mass index (BMI) to give adjusted leptin levels. KT/Vurea (K, dialyzer urea clearance; T, duration of HD; V, volume of distribution of urea), C-reactive protein (CRP), plasma insulin and nutritional parameters such as serum albumin, normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), subjective global assessment (SGA), BMI and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) were also measured. Mean plasma leptin levels were 8.13+/-2.91 ng/mL (male 3.15+/-0.70; female 14.07+/-6.14, p<0.05). Adjusted leptin levels were positively correlated with nPCR (male r=0.47, p<0.05; female r=0.46, p<0.05), SGA (male r=0.43, p<0.05; female r=0.51, p<0.05) and MAMC (male r=0.60, p<0.005; female r=0.61, p<0.05). They did not correlate with KT/Vurea, serum albumin, hematocrit, bicarbonate, insulin and CRP. Presence of DM and erythropoietin therapy had no effect on leptin levels. These results suggest that leptin is a marker of good nutritional status rather than a cause of protein energy malnutrition in chronic HD patients.     

Nutritional status and age at menarche in a rural area of Bangladesh

The age at menarche and its association with nutritional status in a rural area of Bangladesh was determined. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four villages of Rupganj Thana of Narayanganj district. Data was collected through October to December 1996 using a pre-tested structured questionnaire interview schedule, and nutritional status was measured by weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and physical examination. Data were obtained on 436 adolescent girls aged 10-17 years. Among them, 165 (37.8%) girls had commenced menarche. The mean age at menarche as determined by retrospective recall was 13 years SD 0.89 (n = 165). The median age at menarche determined by the status quo method was 13.0. Among the adolescents 60.1% were thin (BMI < 5th centile WHO recommended reference) and 48.2% were stunted (< 3rd centile NCHS/WHO). The mean weight and BMI were significantly higher among the menstruating girls of 13, 14 and 15 years (p < 0.01) than non-menstruating girls. The mean height was found to be significantly higher at 11-14 years among the menstruating girls (p < 0.05). A lower prevalence of angular stomatitis was found among the menstruating adolescent girls compared with the non-menstruating girls, 36.4% versus 46.5%, although this was statistically non-significant (odds ratio = 0.66, 95% CI 0.43-1.00). For glossitis, no significant difference was found. Among the menstruating girls 12.1% were suffering from menorrhagia and 31.5% from dysmenorrhoea. We conclude that the age of menarche among this rural Bangladeshi community is not as delayed as expected. Not surprisingly, menarche is associated with better nutritional status. The surveyed population had extremely high rates of undernutrition which suggests that adolescents in this and similar situations require specific intervention programmes to improve their nutritional status.     

A dietary study of the elderly in the City of Roskilde 1988/1989 (II). A nutritional risk assessment.

In winter 1988/1989, a total of 435 randomly selected men and women aged 70-75 years and living in the city of Roskilde were invited to participate in a diet and health study. Nutritional status was assessed through a dietary interview, antropometric and biochemical measurements on 188 of the invited elderly. Assessed in relation to dietary recommendations, the average fat intake was found to be high (41% energy), whereas intakes of vitamin B6 and D were found to be below recommended levels in 22-26% of the subjects. The prevalences of obesity (12% had BMI over 30 kg/m2) and elevated levels of serum cholesterol (16% had serum levels over 7.5 mmol/l) were relatively high, the percentages being higher for females than for males. Many of the elderly had low levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D in plasma (30% under 30 nmol/l) indicating a marginal status. The prevalences of low blood levels of vitamin B6 (40% under 30 mmol/l) and betacarotene (26% under 0.3 mumol/l) were also high among the elderly. The prevalence of anaemia was 3%. It is concluded that osteoporosis-related parameters and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are prevalent among the elderly in Denmark. The origin of these risk factors have to be studied in more detail, and consequences of any changes occurring must be monitored.     

Growth faltering and catch-up growth in relation to environmental change in children of a disadvantaged community from Guatemala City

The extent and persistence of stunting and growth status across a 10-year period, and their relationship to changes in the home environment, have been analyzed using data from a 10-year longitudinal study of three birth cohorts, seen initially at 3, 5, and 7 years and examined annually thereafter. The children came from an economically disadvantaged community located on the periphery of Guatemala City. The sample used in the analysis consisted of 271 subjects with complete growth and SES data over a 10-year period. Stunting was high initially, with 43.5% of the sample displaying USNCHS height z-scores < −2.0 at the first examination. Growth status at the first visit was a significant predictor of status after 10 years. The odds ratio for stunting in adolescence if stunted in early childhood was 18.39. Characteristics of the household at the first visit were a significant determinant of height, weight, estimated arm muscle, the triceps skinfold, and the BMI at the last visit, after adjusting for confounding variables. Changes in household status between the first and last visits were associated with greater growth increments in height and weight but not in the BMI, triceps skinfold, or estimated arm muscle circumference. These analyses have demonstrated that improved growth status during adolescence relative to status 10 years earlier (a form of catch-up growth) was attributable to two factors: first, for the sample as a whole there was a general improvement in growth status with a mean change in height-and weight-for-age z-scores of 0.218 and 0.420, respectively; second, the change in household score from first to last visit was a significant determinant of growth increment over that period, but only in the case of height and weight. Thus, while the early environment is a powerful determinant of later growth status, some catch-up growth can be identified both as a general systemic response as well as a response to changing environmental conditions. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in children with postoperative biliary atresia: a cross-sectional study

Biliary atresia is the leading cause of chronic infantile cholestasis which eventually leads to cirrhosis. Re-establishment of biliary drainage by Kasai portoenterostomy and liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease has favorably altered the clinical outcome. However, growth failure, one of the major complications of chronic liver disease, remains a major problem. The aim of the study is to evaluate growth, nutritional status and serum growth factor IGF-1 in children with biliary atresia after Kasai operation and at comparing these data between the groups with successful and unsuccessful operation. Fifty-four children with postoperative biliary atresia were evaluated for their clinical outcome, height, blood biochemistry related nutritional status and serum IGF-1. Height and serum IGF-1 were expressed as standard deviation score (SDS) to minimize the influence of age. With 44.4% of the enrolled patients the operation had been unsuccessful and jaundice persisted. The mean age of children with jaundice in comparison with the jaundice free groups was not significantly different (42.0 and 49.9 months, p = 0.458). In jaundice-free patients, hematocrit, serum albumin, calcium and phosphorus were normal and significantly higher. In the successful Kasai group, the height SDS and serum IGF-1 SDS were within the normal range and significantly higher (height SDS 0.2 +/-1.0 vs. -0.9 +/- 1.2, p < 0.01 and IGF-1 SDS 0.5 +/- 2.2 vs. -1.3 +/- 1.0, p < 0.01). The mean IGF-1 SDS in the failed Kasai group was less than -1. Children with good outcome of postoperative biliary atresia showed better growth, better nutritional status and higher serum IGF-1 levels when compared to those with unsuccessful operation.     

Anthropometric and body composition indicators of Bahraini adolescents

BACKGROUND: Childhood and adolescent obesity tends to extend into adulthood and predisposes the individual to some chronic diseases in later life. Body composition is a good indicator for assessing obesity and nutritional status of people. AIM: To determine the anthropometric and body composition characteristics of Bahraini adolescents and to compare these measurements with previously published data on the same age group. SUBJECTS OF METHODS: Cross-sectional data on 506 Bahraini adolescents (249 boys and 257 girls) aged 12-17 years were collected in 2000. The sample was selected from intermediate and secondary schools using a multistage stratified sampling procedure. Anthropometric measurements, including weight, height, mid upper arm circumference, waist and hip circumference, triceps, subscapular and medial calf skinfold thickness, were performed on the adolescents. Body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, arm muscle circumference (AMC), arm muscle area (AMA), arm fat area (AFA), waist/hip ratio (WHR), and subscapular/triceps skinfold ratio (STR) were also calculated. RESULTS: A sexual dimorphism that appears to be related to differential changes in body composition during puberty was observed. The findings showed that mean BMI, skinfold thickness and percent body fat were all higher than those reported in earlier studies on Bahraini adolescents of corresponding age range, indicating an increase in fat accumulation among the adolescent population. Bahraini adolescents were found to be shorter and of similar weight or even heavier than their Western counterparts, indicating a greater trend of obesity among Bahraini adolescents. CONCLUSION: A trend of greater obesity appears to have occurred in the Bahraini adolescents during the period between 1986 and 2000. These findings have important public health implications given recent evidence linking childhood and adolescent obesity to increased risk of obesity and morbidity in adulthood. Therefore, programmes to prevent the development of obesity in children and adolescents should be given a high priority.     

Compliance of acute and long stay geriatric patients with nutritional supplementation

BACKGROUND: Nutritional supplements are prescribed to improve nutritional status, and reduce hospital stays in manourised hospital patients. Clinical benefits are dependant on compliance, the level of which remains unclear. AIMS: To assess compliance levels with oral nutritional supplementation and determine methods to improve compliance. METHODS: Compliance was observed over 10 days by measuring total supplements prescribed and weighing wastage remaining after use. Areas for improvement were identified and implemented for 6 months. Specifically, a distinct supplement administration round was established and those patients requiring assistance with supplement consumption were identified with signage above their beds. Compliance was re-assessed in a sub sample of patients. RESULTS: Thirty seven elderly patients (mean age 85 years; 57% female) prescribed nutritional supplements were studied. Mean compliance was significantly greater in males than females (85.7% vs 74%) and acute wards compared to longstay (89.5% vs. 74.2 Compliance with supplements was significantly greater following intervention (mean 74.2% vs. 93%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Compliance with nutritional supplementation is variable among institutionalized geriatric patients. Timing of supplementation dispensation and improving staff vigilance can positively affect compliance.     

Nutritional status and age at menarche in a rural area of Bangladesh

The age at menarche and its association with nutritional status in a rural area of Bangladesh was determined. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four villages of Rupganj Thana of Narayanganj district. Data was collected through October to December 1996 using a pre-tested structured questionnaire interview schedule, and nutritional status was measured by weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and physical examination. Data were obtained on 436 adolescent girls aged 10-17 years. Among them, 165 (37.8%) girls had commenced menarche. The mean age at menarche as determined by retrospective recall was 13 years SD 0.89 (n=165). The median age at menarche determined by the status quo method was 13.0. Among the adolescents 60.1% were thin (BMI&lt; 5th centile WHO recommended reference) and 48.2% were stunted (&lt; 3rd centile NCHS/WHO). The mean weight and BMI were significantly higher among the menstruating girls of 13, 14 and 15 years (p &lt; 0.01) than non-menstruating girls. The mean height was found to be significantly higher at 11-14 years among the menstruating girls (p &lt; 0.05). A lower prevalence of angular stomatitis was found among the menstruating adolescent girls compared with the non-menstruating girls, 36.4% versus 46.5%, although this was statistically non-significant (odds ratio=0.66, 95% CI 0.43-1.00). For glossitis, no significant difference was found. Among the menstruating girls 12.1% were suffering from menorrhagia and 31.5% from dysmenorrhoea. We conclude that the age of menarche among this rural Bangladeshi community is not as delayed as expected. Not surprisingly, menarche is associated with better nutritional status. The surveyed population had extremely high rates of undernutrition which suggests that adolescents in this and similar situations require specific intervention programmes to improve their nutritional status.     

Nutritional status of medical patients on emergency admission to hospital

The nutritional status was assessed in 75 consecutive patients acutely admitted to a general medical ward. Weight-for-height, triceps skinfold thickness, arm muscle circumference, plasma albumin and serum transferrin were used as nutritional indicators. By combining abnormalities in two or more of these variables, we found obesity in 9% and undernutrition in 22% of the patients on admission. Energy deficiencies as well as acute and chronic protein undernutrition were observed. Age over 75 years, lack of own teeth and a reason for admission other than circulatory disorders or diabetes were tentatively identified as risk factors for undernutrition-some of them conceivably interdependent. Living conditions and regular medication seemed to be less important determinants in this group of patients. We conclude that undernutrition is prevalent among hospitalized medical patients in Sweden as in other industrialized countries. Patients with "hospital malnutrition" are partly recruited from a population of malnourished elderly people outside the hospital. Adequate nutritional support is an essential objective of hospital care in patients wih medical disorders.     

Influence of urban migration on physical activity, nutritional status and growth of Senegalese adolescents of rural origin

In Africa, rural populations especially adolescent girls resort to urban migrations for labour in order to diversify and improve their livelihood. Their work and their living conditions may influence their health and development patterns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of these migrations on physical activity, nutritional and growth status of rural Senegalese adolescent girls. In 1998, within the framework of a longitudinal study of growth during puberty (n = 406), a sub-sample (n = 80, 14.4 +/- 0.5 years) was drawn in order to estimate physical activity, during three days, quantitatively by accelerometry and qualitatively by questionnaire. One part of this sample temporarily migrated to Dakar in order to work as maids (migrants, n = 40). The other part remained in the rural community of Niakhar in order to help their families in daily domestic and agricultural tasks and/or to attend school (non-migrants, n = 40). In 1999, sexual maturation of 331 adolescent girls (15.5 +/- 0.5 years) belonging to this group was based on stages of breast development and occurrence of menarche. Their growth and nutritional status were assessed with anthropometry (height, weight, mid arm circumference, six skinfolds). Adolescents were asked about their urban migratory histories and were divided into four categories according to the duration of urban migration: no migration (NM), short (S), medium (M) and long duration (L). These adolescent girls had a very high physical activity which is far higher than that of American girls. Migrants were more active than non-migrants (p < 0.0001). In 1999, as a whole, these 331 adolescent girls were smaller, thinner and less mature than adolescent girls from industrialized countries. Midarm circumference, body mass index (BMI) and fat mass index (FMI) were significantly higher with the duration of migration (p < 0.01), after adjusting for differences in sexual maturation. Growth retardation seemed more important for the adolescent girls who never migrated and for those who have the longest duration of migration (p = 0.05). At the beginning of puberty, there were no differences in height for age indice and BMI. Urban migrations resulted in an advanced puberty and an improvement of nutritional status (higher BMI, FMI and midarm circumference) but without catch-up in growth. These findings could be explained by precarious living conditions in rural area and by higher workload in urban area.     

Muscular strength and markers of insulin resistance in European adolescents: the HELENA Study

The aim of the study was to examine the association of muscular strength with markers of insulin resistance in European adolescents. The study comprised a total of 1,053 adolescents (499 males; 12.5-17.5 years) from ten European cities participating in the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) Cross-Sectional Study. Muscular strength was measured by the handgrip strength and standing long jump tests. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by the 20-m shuttle run test. Fasting insulin and glucose were measured and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) indices were calculated. Weight, height, waist circumference and skinfold thickness were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. In males, the handgrip strength and standing long jump tests were negatively associated with fasting insulin and HOMA (all P < 0.05) after controlling for pubertal status, country and BMI or waist circumference. When skinfold thickness was included in the model, the association became non-significant. In females, the standing long jump test was negatively associated with fasting insulin and HOMA (all P < 0.001) after controlling for pubertal status, country and surrogate markers of total or central body fat (BMI, waist circumference or skinfold thickness). Findings were retained in males, but not in females after controlling for cardiorespiratory fitness. The findings of the present study suggest that preventive strategies should focus not only on decreasing fatness and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness but also on enhancing muscular strength.     

Nutritional status and height,weight and BMI centiles of school-aged children and adolescents of 6–18-years from Kinshasa (DRC)

Background: The last study to establish centiles of main anthropometric measurements in Kinshasa was conducted over 60 years ago, which questions its current adequacy to describe or monitor growth in this population.

Aim: To assess the nutritional status of school-aged children and adolescents and to estimate centile curves of height, weight and body mass index (BMI).

Subjects and methods: A representative sample of 7541 school-aged children and adolescents (48% boys) aged 6–18 years was measured between 2010–2013. Smooth centiles of height, weight and BMI-for-age were estimated with the LMS method and compared with the WHO 2007 reference. Nutritional status was assessed by comparing measurements of height and BMI against the appropriate WHO cut-offs.

Results: Compared to the WHO reference, percentiles of height and BMI were generally lower. This difference was larger in boys than in girls and increased as they approached adolescence. The prevalence of short stature (?1 SD) was higher in girls (8.6%) than in boys (4.5%).

Conclusion: Children from Kinshasa fall below WHO centile references. This study established up-to-date centile curves for height, weight and BMI by age in children and adolescents. These reference curves describe the current status of these anthropometric markers and can be used as a basis for comparison in future studies.