Assessment of ivutrition of obese primary schools children in urban and rural area in El Bihera governorate- Egypt

The prevalence of obesity is increasing in both developed and developing countries. Obesity is associated with increased risks of many diseases. Obesity significantly affects the quality of life and reduces the average life expectancy. Investigate effect of different environment urban and rural areas in El Bihera governorate on blood glucose level and obesity of children aged 6-12 years to know possible associated risk factors. This study of a representative sample of children 6-12 y of age performed during 1 July 2004 till 20 June 2005. Anthropometric data were taken using standard methods, from 188 children. Certain diet and physical activities as well as other socioeconomic family parameters were assessed with the aid of a questionnaire. Obesity and overweight were defined using both the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] I definition and the new International Obesity Task Force [IOTF] definition. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the influence of various parameters. obesity was prevalent among girls 13.8 and 11.7% than boys 12.7 and 13.8% in urban and ruler areas respectively. The high percentage of boys and girls in both urban and rural [78.0% and 84.2% respectively and 83.3% and 89.8% respectively], who take snacks in between meals. Also the results show that about three-quarter of the urban boys [70.7%] and more than half of rural boys [65.8%] eating during T.V watching. The results show that about two-third [58.3%] of the urban girls and about three-quarter [67.3%] of the rural girls eating during T.V watching with significant differences only among the urban groups [P 0.020]. on the other hand, the plasma glucose values of all cases [normal and obese] in urban and rural areas were significantly different. In boys and girls subjects in rural and urban areas there were no significant differences between the mean values of plasma TSH. However, a significant difference between the plasma TC of urban areas than that of rural areas at the same age group was detected. There was a significant difference for the mean values of plasma TC level between normal and obese groups in the rural site. The good news is that schools can help students and staff adopts healthy eating and physical activity behaviors that are the keys to preventing obesity

Handling of infant milk formulas and it impact on their microbiological quality during bottle feeding

Fifty mothers with their infants were interviewed at the National Nutrition Institute, Cairo to assess their handling practices of infant formulae during bottle feeding. The majority of the interviewed mothers [96%] started to bottle feed their infants during the first six months after delivery, moreover, more than half of them [52%] blamed milk insufficiency for starting the bottle feeding. Half of infants of the interviewed mothers were attacked 1-5 times with gastrointestinal disturbances during the period of bottle feeding. Microbiological analysis of 100 samples of infant milk formulas collected from the markets revealed their compliance with the Egyptian Standards. Unfortunately, the microbiological quality of infant formulas worsens during their home preparation where the mean aerobic mesophilic, Staphylococci as well as mold and yeast counts increased from<100 CFU/g in those collected from the markets to reach 2.6x10[4], 3.9 x10[2] and 2.9 x10[4] CFU/ml; respectively. Completing a pre-designed questionnaire showed that most of the interviewed mothers [72%] used to wash their children bottles using hot water, whereas only three mothers [6%] used to properly wash the bottles [using detergent then rinsing and washing with hot water]. Prepared formulas collected from the bottles of infants whose mothers were used to wash bottles properly had better microbiological quality than those washing with either tap water or hot water alone. Prepared formulae collected from those used to store them between feedings at room temperature [62% of the interviewed mothers] had a worse microbiological quality than those used to prepare formulas for one feeding or store in the refrigerator. Forty percent of the interviewed mothers were used to reheat leftover prepared formulas by adding hot water. Prepared formulae collected from these mothers had a worse microbiological quality than those belonging to mothers who used not to reheat. Education of mothers in food safety principles, especially for weaning foods, must receive high priority from the responsible authorities and concerned organizations