South Africa is experiencing a chronic disease risk transition. Further research is needed to better understand and effectively address this rapid change.
Objective: The present paper reports the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity by gender, ethnicity and grade, among participants in a 2002 national survey among South African school-going youth that included height and weight measurements. Design: A stratified two-stage sample was used. Nationally representative rates of underweight, overweight and obesity were calculated using weighted survey data and compared using x 2 analysis. Setting: In all, 9224 grade 8 to grade 11 students, present at school in selected classes within selected South African government-funded schools in all nine provinces, participated in this study. Most of the students were between 13 and 19 years of age. Results: Higher rates of underweight were observed for males than females as well as for black and 'coloured' than white students. Within each gender group, black and 'coloured' students had significantly higher rates of underweight than their white counterparts. Higher percentages of females than males were overweight and obese, overall and among black students. Furthermore, white male students had significantly higher rates of overweight than their black and 'coloured' counterparts. Among females, black and white students had significantly higher rates than 'coloured' students. Students in higher grades showed significantly lower rates of underweight and higher rates of overweight. Discussion: These data confirm that South Africa, a developing nation in socioeconomic transition, is experiencing both undernutrition and overnutrition. However, these problems are disproportionately distributed by gender, socioeconomics and ethnicity. Continued surveillance of nutritional status may be one important component of a national strategy to prevent and control malnutrition.
Objectives. We compared prevalence rates and correlates of substance use among high school students in South Africa and the United States. Methods. We used weighted data from 2 nationally representative surveys of high school students. We conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses and examined between-country differences in rates and correlates of substance use were examined. Results. Rates of past-month alcohol and marijuana use were lower among South African students than among US students, but rates of illicit hard drug use were higher. Correlates of use in the 2 countries differed. For example, female gender was protective against tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use in South Africa, whereas in the United States it was protective only against marijuana use. Black race/ethnicity was associated with lower rates of past-month cigarette and alcohol use in both countries, but the protective effect for alcohol use was stronger in South Africa. Conclusions. Crosscultural studies can elucidate common and culturally unique pathways to drug use. Our results can inform future research, policies, and behavioral interventions in South Africa.
Summaryobjectives To investigate the nutritional status of Black South African teenagers by sex and compare it with nutritional profiles of teenagers from other countries.methods The first South African Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (2002) was adapted to include anthropometric data and this paper reports on the prevalence of under and over nutrition among 5322 Black teenagers, aged 13.0-17.9 years, grades 8-11. Prevalence of over nutrition in this study was compared with other countries using a World Bank country economic classification.results Significant sex differences were observed for under and over nutrition. Boys (18.4%) had a higher prevalence of underweight than girls (2.6%) (P < 0.005), who were more at risk of overweight than boys (20.9% vs. 4.2%) (P < 0.005). Boys (21.9%) were more stunted than girls (9.4%) (P < 0.05), but stunted girls were at greater risk of overweight than boys across all levels of stunting. The prevalence of overweight among boys (4.2%) was lower than in other countries while for girls (20.9%) was similar to several upper middle and high income countries.conclusion Gender sensitive strategies are required to address both under and over nutrition among South African teenagers to reduce stunting and future chronic disease epidemics in adulthood. This paper suggests that Black South African teenagers are experiencing an uneven nutritional transition across sex, from under nutrition to over nutrition.
The two experimental curricula both produced similar overall reductions in smoking prevalence that were not significantly different from each other or the control group. However, the impact differed by gender and race, suggesting a need to tailor tobacco and drug use prevention programs. More intensive intervention, in the classroom and beyond, may be needed to further impact smoking behavior.
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