Background: Physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles are major risk factors of childhood obesity. This study aimed to measure physical activity (PA) levels by accelerometer and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) among Senegalese school children and the relation with Body Mass Index (BMI) and body composition. Methodology: 156 pupils 8–11 years old were randomly selected in four elementary public schools of Dakar. BMI z-score was used to categorize children according to their weight status. PA was measured by PAQ-C in the 156 pupils and by accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X+, Pensacola, FL, USA) in a subsample of 42 children. Body composition was determined by deuterium dilution method. Results: PAQ-C results were comparable in the 156 and 42 pupils. The 42 pupils presented a light activity measured by accelerometer, while PAQ-C classified the majority of them (57%; n = 24) in the moderate PA level. Children spent most of their time (min/day) in sedentary activities and light activities than in moderate and intense activity levels. Accumulation of 60 min/day Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) was achieved by 54.8% (n = 23) of the pupils. MVPA decreased in girls in relation to their body fatness. There was a significant difference in MVPA between boys and girls. Similarly, overweight/obese (45 ± 16 min/day) children had lower MVPA than their normal and underweight peers (88 ± 34 and 74 ± 36 min/day, respectively; p = 0.004). Conclusions: The two methods are inconsistent for measuring light and moderate PA levels. Although PAQ-C is an uncomplicated routine method, various activities were not adapted for genuine activities in Senegalese children and therefore needs to be validated in African children.
IntroductionChildhood obesity is currently a serious public health challenge in developing countries. Therefore, an accurate assessment of adiposity is required. The objective of this study was to validate BIA prediction equations for the assessment of total body water and adiposity or percentage of body fat for the first time in Senegalese school-aged children.MethodsOne-hundred-fifty-one (151) pupils who were 8–11 years old were randomly selected from four public schools in Dakar. The body composition measured by deuterium dilution method (DDM) was used as the reference method and compared to that predicted by BIA using a multi-frequency analyser. Stepwise backward multiple linear regression was performed to calculate TBW and %BF in a subsample, which were then validated in the rest of the sample. The Bland and Altman approach was used to assess the agreement between the two methods (bias and limits of agreement).ResultsFFM was higher in boys (24.6±6.9 kg) compared to girls (21.2±3.3 kg; P<0.001), and FM was lower in boys: 3.7 kg [0.9–26.4] compared to girls: 4.5 kg [1.7–22.7]. Overall, 11.3% of children presented excess adiposity (%BF >25% in boys, and >30% in girls) and 2.0% were obese according to WHO cut points for obesity (BMI z-score >+2.0). The equations developed were as follows: TBW = 0.376(Height2/Z50)-0.470 (sex) +0.076(weight) +0.065(height)-2.28.%BF = -1.10(height2/Z50) +3.14(sex)+1.57(weight)-4.347. These specific equations showed good precision and a low and non-significant mean bias (0.11 kg, P = 0.279; and 0.19 kg, P = 0.764) for TBW and %BF, respectively.ConclusionThe newly developed equations can be used as an accurate and alternative screening tool for the assessment of obesity among children in various settings.
Background: Despite micronutrient supplementation and food fortification strategies carried out for decades, micronutrient deficiencies remain prevalent among children under 5 years old in rural area in Senegal. The OR4FOOD project was implemented as a preventive and long-term approach to reduce malnutrition through biofortification. Objective: We aimed to assess the baseline dietary intakes and nutritional status of the mother-child (6-23 months old) pair in a rural community in Senegal. Methods: Dietary intakes were assessed using dietary recall questionnaires and weight food records. All foods and beverages consumed from waking to bedtime were quantified, and nutrient intakes were calculated. The nutritional status was measured by anthropometry. Results: Results showed that 77.2% of children had low dietary diversity score. Only 18% of them received an appropriate complementary feeding according to the minimum acceptable diet. Cereals and legumes were among the most consumed food groups, whereas orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) and animal food products were rarely consumed. Median dietary intakes of iron, zinc, and vitamin A were lower than the recommended dietary allowances. Acute malnutrition and stunting affected 14.6% and 16.9% of children, respectively. Overall, 20.8% of mothers were underweighted, and overweight/obesity affected 23.1% of them. Conclusion: Malnutrition remains prevalent in rural areas of Senegal and affects both mothers and children. Furthermore, their nutrient requirements were not covered by the diet. Millet and cowpea being widely consumed, optimizing their iron and zinc content through biofortification and the introduction of OFSP might improve micronutrient intakes and would be promising strategies to prevent child malnutrition.
Background: Breastfeeding promotion is widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective investments in promoting optimal child health, growth, and development. Several studies have shown that breastfeeding education and counselling interventions have a significant impact on improving breastfeeding practices, including exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates. However, very few studies have evaluated the association between breastfeeding educations on infant breast milk intake. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of behavior change communication provided by the Nutrition Enhancement Program (NEP) on infant breast milk intake and breastfeeding practices. Methods: We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study in 12 Local Communities in rural Senegal of which 6 located in the NEP intervention area and the remaining, in the non-intervention area. Breast milk intake and EBF were measured using the deuterium dose-to-mother isotope dilution in 140 mother-infant pairs aged 4-5 months. The 24-hour recall questionnaire was also use to assess EBF. The nutritional status of mothers and infants were measured by anthropometry. Student's t-test, ANOVA, and chi-square test and McNemar test were used to compare means and percentages. A mixed model linear regression was performed to identify the associated factors of breast milk intake, measured by reference method. Results: Breast milk intake was significantly higher in infants from the NEP area (994.7 ±197.3 g/d), compared to those from the non-NEP area (913.6 ± 222.8) g/d), p=0.023. Consumption of water from sources other than breast milk was not different between the groups. EBF rate measured by DTM was 37.0% and 28.4% in the NEP area and the non-NEP area, respectively. There was no difference on exclusive breastfeeding rate between the two areas regardless of evaluation method. Stunting and wasting were associated with lower milk intake of 119.1 g/d and 199.6 g/d respectively. Conclusions: Breast milk intake of 4-5 months old infants is higher in the NEP area where breastfeeding education and counselling are provided to mothers compared to the non-NEP area. There was no influence of the intervention on EBF rates between the two areas. Lower breast milk consumption was associated with stunting and wasting.
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