Objective: To assess the prevalence of enlarged thyroid volume (Tvol) in Saharawi refugee children, and their urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and to identify possible sources of excess iodine intake. Design: A cross-sectional survey was performed during January-February 2007. Tvol was measured by ultrasound and iodine concentration was analysed in casual urine samples, in household drinking water and in milk samples from household livestock. Setting: The study was undertaken in four refugee camps in the Algerian desert. Subjects: The subjects were 421 Saharawi children, 6-14 years old. Results: Enlarged Tvol was found in 56 % (Tvol-for-age) and 86 % (Tvol-for-bodysurface-area) of the children. The median (25th percentile-75th percentile, P 25 -P 75 ) UIC was 565 (357-887) mg/l. The median (P 25 -P 75 ) iodine concentration in household drinking water was 108 (77-297) mg/l. None of the children had UIC below 100 mg/l, 16 % had UIC between 100 and 299 mg/l, and 84 % had UIC above 300 mg/l. There was a positive association between Tvol and whether the household possessed livestock. Conclusions: The children are suffering from endemic goitre and high UIC caused probably by an excessive intake of iodine. The excessive iodine intakes probably originate from drinking water and milk.

BackgroundCulture affects body image and body size perceptions from an early age and in many African countries, overweight has been associated with richness, health, strength, and fertility. The present study investigated body size perceptions and preferences in an African refugee population.MethodsThe cross-sectional study was comprised of 180 and 175 randomly selected Saharawi women and men, respectively, between 18 and 80 years. Stunkard’s body figure scale was used to identify self-perceived body size, desired body size and desired body size in the opposite gender.ResultsApproximately half of the participants had a correct self-perceived body size; among them 70% did not have a desire to have a smaller body size. Among women who preferred a body size corresponding to overweight in men, 77% also had a desired body size corresponding to overweight; compared to 43% for men. The youngest participants (18–25 years) were the least likely to overestimate their body size in comparison to the older participants (26–45 years and 46–80 years).ConclusionWe found an overall preference for an overweight body size, and a significant difference in body size perception associated with age.

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Background: The prevalence of malnutrition among institutionalised and community-dwelling older persons with home nursing varies between 30-60 percent and 2-10 percent, respectively. An early determination of nutritional risk is important, to be able to initiate nutritional therapy and prevent malnutrition. However, it is unclear which screening tools are best suited for use in the two groups of older persons in need of care.Objective: To identify screening tools that can determine the risk of undernutrition in institutionalised and community-dwelling older persons with home nursing, by examining the validity, reliability and acceptability of tools that have been identified.Method: Systematic literature study. The searches were conducted in 2014 in the databases MEDLINE, Cinahl, Ovid Nursing and Food Science Source, PubMed, Embase and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and hand search of journals.Results: We found four different screening tools, MNA-SF, SNAQ, MST and GNRI, reported in nine validation studies. MNA-SF was validated most times (four studies) and both sensitivity and specificity were high. MST was validated in one study with moderate specificity. The other tools showed moderate validity. None of the included studies examined the usefulness of the screening tool.Conclusion: Four screening tools, MNA-SF, SNAQ, MST and GNRI, were validated in the two groups of elderly persons. MNA-SF was best suited to uncover nutritional risk in both groups, but more research is needed.