Anthropometric nutritional status of children (0–18 years) in South Africa 1997–2022: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature on the anthropometric nutritional status of South African infants and children, 0–18 years old and to report on trends of changes in nutritional status over the period 1997–2022. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting: Review of the available literature on the anthropometric nutritional status of South African infants and children, 0–18 years old, over the period 1997–2022. Participants: South African infants and children, 0–18 years old. Results: Only quantitative data from ninety-five publications that described the nutritional status in terms of anthropometry were included. Most recent studies applied the WHO 2006 and 2007 definitions for malnutrition among children 0–5 years old and 5–19 years old, respectively. Meta-analysis of all prevalence data shows the highest stunting prevalence of 25·1 % among infants and preschool children, compared to 11·3 % among primary school-age children and 9·6 % among adolescents. Furthermore, the overweight and obesity prevalence was similar among children younger than 6 years and adolescents (19 %), compared to 12·5 % among primary school-age children. In national surveys, adolescent overweight prevalence increased from 16·9 % in 2002 to 23·1 % in 2011. Meta-regression analysis shows a decrease in stunting among children 6–18 years old and an increase in combined overweight and obesity in the 10–19 years age group. Conclusion: The double burden of malnutrition remains evident in South Africa with stunting and overweight/obesity the most prevalent forms of malnutrition among children.

Nutritional Status of Adolescents in Eastern Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study

“…The observed prevalence (7.5%) of stunting among adolescents in this study was lower than the prevalence of stunting that we recently reported among adolescents in north Sudan (19.8%) [23]; among schoolchildren aged 5-15 years in eastern Sudan (22.1%) [20]; among school-age children in Ebonyi State in Nigeria (9.9%) [19]; among street adolescents in the city of Adama, Oromia Region, Ethiopia (34.1%) [10], and Tanzania (18%) [14]; and among 7625 adolescents from 8 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (18.1%) [15]. Moreover, our results revealed a lower prevalence of stunting compared with the pooled prevalence of stunting reported in a meta-analysis among adolescents in South Africa (9•6%) [6] and Ethiopia (22.4%) [7]. On the other hand, the prevalence (7.5%) of stunting in our study was higher than that recently reported (5.7%) among school adolescents in high schools in the town of Durame in Ethiopia [11].…”

“…A recent report revealed the increasing burden of both underweight and obesity among children and adolescents worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries [ 5 ]. Moreover, the double burden of malnutrition (stunting and overweight/obesity) is widely prevalent among adolescents in Africa [ 6 ]. Several studies have been published on the prevalence of nutritional status and its associated factors among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…Moreover, the double burden of malnutrition (stunting and overweight/obesity) is widely prevalent among adolescents in Africa [ 6 ]. Several studies have been published on the prevalence of nutritional status and its associated factors among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. For example, different rates of stunting among adolescents were reported in various African countries [ 6 , 7 , 10 , 11 , 14 , 15 , 19 ].…”

“…Several studies have been published on the prevalence of nutritional status and its associated factors among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. For example, different rates of stunting among adolescents were reported in various African countries [ 6 , 7 , 10 , 11 , 14 , 15 , 19 ]. The association between stunting and several factors, such as age [ 20 , 21 ] and sex [ 7 , 15 , 17 ], and the varying prevalence of thinness among adolescents in different African countries [ 8 , 10 , 11 , 14 , 19 ] have also been reported.…”

Pengukuran dan Penilaian Status Gizi Anak Sekolah Dasar Negeri 100 Kendari Menggunakan Indeks Massa Tubuh Menurut Umur

“…Pemantauan status gizi yang dilakukan secara berkala dan terjadwal akan memberikan gambaran status gizi sehingga dapat dilakukan tindakan pencegahan masalah gizi pada anak usia sekolah dasar. Menurut Kruger et al, (2023) bahwa status gizi optimal pada anak usia sekolah akan mendukung perkembangan fisik dan mental sehingga akan berdampak pada perkembangan ekonomi.…”