Anthropometric and motor characteristics of Senegalese with different nutritional histories

Abstract

The effects of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) on the motor performance of 4.5-6.5-year-old Senegalese children were studied. Body dimensions included weight, lengths, circumferences, and four skinfolds. Motor performance tests included a 3-min endurance run, 4 x 10 m shuttle-run, distance throw, standing long jump and grip strength. The sample consisted of 147 children: 52 children who were hospitalized for severe undernutrition (severe UN group) during infancy but who had been nutritionally rehabilitated; 63 children who were never severely malnourished but who were chronically exposed to mild-to-moderate undernutrition up to the time of study (chronic UN group); and 32 well nourished children (well nourished group) from well-off households. After adjusting for sex and age, the well nourished group performed better than the severe UN and chronic UN groups. Principal components analysis resulted in two factors which explained 65% of the variance in anthropometry and motor performance. One was related to body size and the second to body composition. The three nutritional groups differed significantly in principal component scores for the two factors; chronic UN and severe UN children also differed for the second factor. Body composition, especially low fat mass appeared to be an important feature for motor performance in chronically undernourished children.

The pediatric global burden of stunting: Focus on Latin America

“…Child development • Cognitive impairments 25,[36][37][38] • Poor socioeconomic outcomes in adulthood 36 Greater susceptibility to infections • Vicious cycle as repeated infections are both a cause and consequence of malnutrition [39][40][41] • Chronic immune system activation has a high metabolic cost resulting in inadequate availability of micronutrients necessary for growth 42 Functional Impairments • Impairments in lean mass 39,43 • Impaired strength and exercise tolerance 39,43,44 Mortality • Estimated 17% of the mortality burden in children under 5 years old is associated with stunting 4…”

“…39 Furthermore, multiple studies demonstrate that children with prior severe malnutrition have a weaker hand grip and lower exercise tolerance than non-malnourished children. 39,43,44…”

“…There is a direct relationship between the severity of malnutrition and the decrease in lean mass 39 . Furthermore, multiple studies demonstrate that children with prior severe malnutrition have a weaker hand grip and lower exercise tolerance than non‐malnourished children 39,43,44 …”