International Symposium on Understanding the Double Burden of Malnutrition for Effective Interventions

Frequency of Malnutrition (Undernutrition, Overweight/ Obesity) and Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Western Algeria Infants

Not scheduled

15m

Boardroom A (IAEA, Vienna)

Poster Epidemiology Poster Session 4

Speakers

Ms Karim Bouziane Nedjadi (Clinique A. Cabral. CHU Oran.)Prof. Malika Bouchenak (Laboratoire de Nutrition Clinique et Métabolique. Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie. Université d’Oran1 Ahmed Ben Bella. Oran. Algeria.)

Description

Introducton and objective. Stunting in childhood is a risk factor that may result in overweight and obesity later in adolescence and adulthood, indicating the need to screen children below 1 year of age to identify stunting early in life. Iron deficiency (ID) is one of the most widespread nutritional disorders in both developing and industrialized countries, making it a global public health concern The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of malnutrition (undernutrition, overweight and obesity) and the prevalence of iron deficiency among a population of infants from western Algeria.

Population and methods. From January to June 2016, 130 healthy children (72 males), mean age 21. 2 ±3.9 mo, were prospectively enrolled during their visit to three immunization centers in Oran. After written consent, anthropometric measurements (weight/age, height/age, weight/height, BMI, expressed in Z-scores according to WHO standards) were taken, dietary intakes were assessed by 24H recall followed by three days records. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) were determined to asses iron status. Continuous values were expressed as mean± standard deviation, and discrete values as percentages.

Results. Weight and height were assessed in 112 children. Mean weight was 0.482±1.07 z-scores, mean height 0.09±1.39 z-scores, mean weight/height 0.72± 1.55 z-scores, mean BMI 0.79±1.69 z-scores. Wasting (weight/height <-2 z-scores) was found in 6 (5.5%), stunting (heigt/age <-2 z-scores) in 7 subjects (6.2%), overweight was present in 16 (14.3%), and obesity in 7 (6.3%). Anemia was present in 61/130 infants (46.9%), and iron deficiency (ferritin<11mg/dl and/or positive sTfR) was found in 71/119 (59.6%). Dietary assessment showed micronutrients consumption deficiencies of iron (84%), zinc (65%), iodine (48%), and Vitamin D (95%).

Conclusion. Our study shows that 10% of infants present undernutrition (wasting and stunting), and 18.7% overnutrition. Moreover, anemia and iron deficiency are particularly prevalent. This is a clear example of the burden of malnutrition and the” hidden hunger” in our context.