Objective: The study aimed to detail the lifestyle (physical activity and dietary habits) of Moroccan adolescents. Design: Cross-sectional study undertaken in the framework of the ATLS (Arab Teens Lifestyle Study). Setting: Physical activity and dietary habits were determined using a validated questionnaire in public secondary schools. Subjects: A total of 669 adolescents aged 15·0-19·9 years were randomly recruited from Kenitra, Morocco. Results: Physical activity patterns and intensity differed between genders. As anticipated, male adolescents were more active than female adolescents across a typical week and engaged in more vigorous-intensity physical activity than female adolescents, who spent more time than male adolescents in moderate-intensity physical activity. Of particular concern was that one in five of the adolescents surveyed was inactive, with almost 45 % of the sample reporting television viewing for more than 2 h/d and 38 % engaged in computer use for a similar period. From a dietary perspective, most adolescents reported that they do not take breakfast or consume milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. In contrast, most reported consumption of doughnuts, cakes, candy and chocolate more than three times per week and approximately 50 % consumed sugary drinks more than three times per week. Conclusions: Based on a continuation of the self-reported lifestyle behaviours, adolescents in the present study are at risk of developing chronic diseases. Education programmes are urgently needed to assist in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and reduce the likelihood of overweight and obesity and related health risks among young people.

The new prediction equations provide reliable estimates of TBW and FFM in North-African adults and are recommended for use in these populations.

Iodine is required for the production of the thyroid hormones essential for the growth and development of the brain. All forms of iodine deficiency (ID) affect the mental development of the child. Our study aims to assess the impact of ID on the intellectual development of Moroccan schoolchildren and to evaluate the effect of consumption of fortified milk on reducing ID. In a double-blind controlled trial conducted on schoolchildren, children were divided into two groups to receive fortified milk (30% of cover of RDI iodine) or nonfortified milk for 9 months. Urinary iodine was analyzed using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction, a dynamic cognitive test using Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices to assess learning potential was performed at baseline and end line, and anthropometric assessment was done only at baseline. The study included schoolchildren who were severely iodine deficient. The prevalence of malnutrition was high in both groups; in this study, we found improvements in iodine status and in cognitive abilities among Moroccan schoolchildren. Our study showed that the consumption of fortified milk led to a clear improvement in iodine status and also appeared to have a favorable effect on the cognitive ability of Moroccan schoolchildren in a rural mountainous region.

The new BIA prediction equations seem to be the most accurate for Moroccan pre-pubertal children.

Iron deficiency constitutes a major public health problem in Morocco, mainly among women and children. The aim of our paper is to assess the efficacy of consumption of multiple micronutrients (MMN) fortified milk on iron status of Moroccan schoolchildren living in rural region. Children (N = 195), aged 7 to 9 y, were recruited from schools and divided into two groups: the nonfortified group (NFG) received daily a nonfortified Ultra-High-Temperature (UHT) milk and the fortified group received (FG) daily UHT milk fortified with multiple micronutrients including iron sulfate. Blood samples were collected at baseline (T0) and after 9 months (T9). Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured in situ by Hemocue device; ferritin and C Reactive Protein were assessed in serum using ELISA and nephelometry techniques, respectively. Results were considered significant when the p value was <0.05. At T9 FG showed a reduction of iron deficiency from 50.9% to 37.2% (p = 0.037). Despite the low prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (1.9%); more than 50% of children in our sample suffered from iron deficiency at baseline. The consumption of fortified milk reduced the prevalence of iron deficiency by 27% in schoolchildren living in high altitude rural region of Morocco. Clinical Trial Registration. Our study is registered in the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry with the identification number PACTR201410000896410.

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Background Sedentary behavior (SB) in children is related to different health outcomes such as overweight and cardio-metabolic diseases. These negative effects have been widely supported by evidence. However, no data on sedentary time (ST) among Moroccan children has been available, yet. Therefore, the present study examined gender and grade differences in objectively measured sedentary behavior in a sample of Moroccan primary school children and adolescents. Methods In total, 172 Moroccan children/adolescents aged between 8 to 14 years old (mean age = 10.92 ± 1.55 years; 49.4% were boys) completed the survey. School grade, gender, height, and weight were collected by questionnaires and ST objectively measured using a tri-axial accelerometer (GTX3+). Study required at least 3 valid weekdays and 1 weekend day with? 600 min/day total wear time. Two-way analysis of covariance and logistic regression analyses, adjusted for BMI z-score and accelerometer wear time, were used to examine gender and grade differences in ST. Results Mean time spent in SB was 535.93 ± 87.15 min/day or ∼ 62.94% of the average daily accelerometer wear time of 851.45 ±51.35.min/day with statistical differences between weekend and week days (471.357 ± 127.73 minutes/day vs. 559.7661± 90.75 minutes/day; p &gt; 0.001). Adolescents (11-14y) were more involved in sitting tasks when compared to the early grades (8-10y). 550.011±88.827 vs. 521.845±83.602 respectively; p &gt; 0.001. Conclusion ST increases between ages 11 and 14 years. On week days children and adolescents spent sitting longer than at weekends. Girls and adolescents were identified as potential risk groups. This report on ST presents valuable information for designing and implementing interventions to decrease time spent in SB among children during class time. Acknowledgements This study was performed with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (CRP E4.30.24; RAF 6042).

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