Iodine status of primary school children in different Egyptian environments

Background: iodine deficiency is the main cause of potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood. It is still prevalent in large parts of the world. Mild iodine deficiency can affect cognitive development of the child. Aim of study investigated iodine status of primary school children and consumption of iodized salt

Subjects and methods: this study included 2105 households, urine analysis for 1879 primary school children aged [6 - 12 years] from urban and rural sites [975 and 904], seven governorates in Egypt [Behera, Menoufia, Dakahlia, Beni Suif, Minya, Wadi Jedid and South Sinai]

Results: showed that more than 50% of household used iodized salt. In addition, they were adding iodized salt [65.8%] during the process of cooking food. Beni Suif recorded the highest prevalence of mild iodine deficiency in both urban and rural sites

Conclusion: iodized salt program in the seven governments faces some problem/barriers for use of iodized salt at household level. Government has required the use of iodized salt inprocessed foods

Recommendation: Surveillance systems need to be strengthened to monitor both low and excessive intakes of iodine to improve the iodine nutritional status of the population without risks of iodine excess or deficiency

study of the changes for pesticide residues after preparation and cooking potatoes and its effect on Albino rat

Food safety is an area of growing worldwide concern on account of its direct bearing on human health. Pesticides [ insecticides, fungicides, etc.] are used globally for the protection of food. The presence of harmful pesticide residues in food has caused a great concern among the consumers. This study aimed to determine and investigate the changes of pesticide residues in potatoes during preparation and processing, and investigating the health effects of pesticide residues on albino rats. Potatoes was collected from local market and analyzed for pesticide residues, imidaclopride, metalaxyl, and cloropropham were found. Results showed that all processing and preparing technique led to a decrease in pesticide residues. Treating potatoes by cooking [ boiling, streaming, grilling, roasting, frying, and microwave] led to reduce in imidaclopride residues by 99.71%, 94.71%, 99.43%, 98.14%, 98.42% and 90% respectively. While metalaxyl residues was reduced by 95.7%, 91.71%, 69.29%, 93.14%, 94.95% and 52.29% respectively. Cloropropham residues were reduced by 72.96%, 59.26%, and 51.85%, 37.04%, 62.96% and 41.67%, respectively. Feeding albino rats basal diet and different cooked potatoes led to significant increase [p<0.05] in serum AST, ALT, ALP, and MDA levels compared to positive control group. While there was no significant difference in serum total protein levels in all treated groups. The study demonstrate that in most cases processing leads to reductions in residues level in the cooked potatoes, particularly through boiling, but pesticide residues affect liver function and lipid oxidation. In addition it causes histological changes in the liver and lungs of rats

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

Assessing the nutritional status and blood glutathione level for preschool children

This study was designed to assessment nutrition status and blood glutathione [GSH] level for preschool children. The study included 70 [boys and girls preschool children] at aged from 2-5 years. Children was randomly selected from the out patients clinic at the National Nutrition institute Cairo. Weigh and height were measured for them to evaluate the effect of nutrients on bodies, dietary intake was collected for the children were subjected to estimation of [Energy, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, vitamins A, folic acid and minerals iron, zinc and selenium] in their daily diet. Blood samples were collected to determine hemoglobin, glutathione and total protein concentration. The dietary analysis showed that, every nutrient was lower than the requirement except total protein was higher than the recommend. Stunting showed [25.5%] of boys and [20%] of girls, underweight [23%] of boys and 14% of girls were the problems among preschool children. A glutathione deficiency was found among 97% of boys and 100% of girls. The hemoglobin ratio 77.1% from children was equal or less than normal concentration. Total protein noticed 82.9% of boys and 85.7 of girls in normal value. There was little quantity of nutrients intake, glutathione level and growth. The study can be recommended to improve their daily dietary intake and nutrition habits by education programs for their parents or supplement of studied cases with special ferrous and protein specially contains sulphur amino acids in daily diet to cover Recommended Dietary Allowances and can improve tissue GSH concentration