Some health aspects of school adolescents in Egypt

Unhealthy dietary pattern, a decline in energy expenditure associated with a sedentary lifestyle, together with tobacco use are among the major risk factors for diet related chronic non-communicable diseases and pose an increasing challenge to public health

Objectives: Investigate some health aspects of adolescents to: assess eating practices, investigate physical activity pattern and study smoking status, study of electrolytes among school adolescents

Methodology: A representative national sample of preparatory and secondary schools students were the subjects of the study. Schools were randomly selected so that school type, sex and urban/rural residence were adequately representative. The number of schools investigated was 98 schools. Three specially designed questionnaires had been used to collect data on modifiable lifestyle related health factors [dietary practices; food habits for 7340 participants] and meal pattern [for 2161 participants], physical activity [for 8492 participants] and smoking [for 8495 participants]]. Scoring system was used for dietary and physical activity practices, each was given 12 points. Grading score was divided into three levels [0-4 poor, 5-8 needs improvement and 9-12 good]. Serum calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium were determined for 464 participants. Results: Dietary behaviors score among all adolescents was more toward the poor grade [41.6%]. Females showed higher percentage of poor category than males [44.6% and 38.6%] respectively. Second category [needs improvement] percentage was 58.9% among males and 52.1% among females. Only 3% of participants achieved the highest category [good]. Generally no statistical difference was found between urban and rural adolescents, whereas males showed more positive dietary behaviors than females. Majority of schools [90.5%] serve items high in saturated fat and calories in the form of chips, karate, bakeries, cakes and biscuits. About 55.95% of the schools serve soft drinks and readymade juices [high in calories]. Milk and milk products are served by only 13.0% of schools, while vegetables and fruits have no place in school canteens. The mean physical activity score for adolescents was [7.73+/-1.98] out of 12 [more towards the upper level of needs improvement category]. Overall, adolescents were generally in the category [needs improvement] for physical activity practices [57.7%], about 37.0% of the sample had a grade of good physical activity behavior. Exposure to second hand smoking is very high among adolescents [71.2%]. Percent of those reporting being tobacco user was 7.0%. Almost 32.3% of the sample had low calcium level. Low magnesium level had been found in 19.4%. Potassium low level had been found in 19.2%. Only 7.1 % showed high sodium level

Conclusion and recommendations: Adolescents lifestyle urges for promotion. An obesogenic environment surrounds adolescent's needs attention and modification

Effects of nutritional and socio-economic status on oral hygiene in children

Oral hygiene and personal hygiene are the efficient form of preventive health measures. M Poor oral hygiene, measles and malnutrition are implicated as predisposing factors to Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis [ANUG] and cancrum oris. Malnutrition predominantly affects third world countries where there is a limited supply of nutrient rich foods. Some third world nations also lack particular nutrients such as vitamin C, B and calcium resulting in poor oral health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nutritional and socio-economic status on oral hygiene among Egyptian children. 800 children aged 5 to 8 years were examined. They were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire to record past oral and dental health history, dietary and socio-economic data of children and their parents, as well as, measles immunization status of children. The nutritional status of children was determined using anthropometric measurements. Oral Hygiene was assessed using Oral Hygiene Index Simplified [OHI-S]. Children aged 5-<6 years comprised the highest percent in the malnourished group [41%]. However, in normal nourished children the highest percentage of children were among the age group [7-8 years] comprising [42%]. Higher incidence of malnourished children [34%] was among the low socio-economic level households compared to [16.8%] in middle socio-economic level households, the difference was statistically significant. Results revealed significant statistical association between mother's educational level and nutritional status of their children. The highest percentage of gingivitis was in children who do not brush at all followed by those who brush their teeth daily then children who do not frequently use the brush respectively. There was a significant difference between the frequencies of drinking fizzy drinks in the overweight subgroup on oral hygiene compared with sweets and crunches. There was a significant statistical association between affected gingival level and nutritional status. This study could be concluded that a reciprocal interrelationship between the level of malnutrition and oral hygiene status among children. The presented findings of this study could throw the light on the urgent need for nutritional assessment protocols via a recall schedule as well as intervention programs, such as regular systematic oral examination and treatment for children at different ages

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

Relation between some nutrients intake and nutritional anemia among physically handicapped children in Egypt

The most common cause of anemia is a deficiency of iron, although not necessarily a dietary deficiency of total iron intake. Deficiencies of folates [or folic acid], vitamin B[12] and protein may also cause anemia. Ascorbic acid, vitamin E, copper and pyridoxine are also needed for production of red blood cells [erythrocytes]. Vitamin A deficiency is also associated with anemia. The disability defined as a limitation of the variety of movement that can interfere with the acquisition of independence as well as hamper the child's ability to interact with the environment. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of anemia and to evaluate the relation between some nutrients intake and nutritional anemia in physically handicapped children in Egypt. This study included 126 [62 boys and 64 girls] physically Handicapped aged from 6-

Nutritional status of mentally disabled children in Egypt

Mental disability can interfere with education and scholastic achievement. It can lead to school dropout and minimize opportunities to participate in the labor force. Moreover, disabilities affect the overall health and psychological state of the individuals. The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional status of mentally disabled children in Egypt on the basis of anthropometric indicators and laboratory data. Across sectional study was conducted on 639 mentally disable children aged 6-<14 years [422males and 217females], from urban areas. They were classified into two age groups [6-<11 and 11-<14 years]. The following variables were determined using Z score indicator of weight for age, height for age and weight for height. Also, body mass index, mid arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness percentiles were determined. Laboratory investigation including blood hemoglobin concentration and plasma levels of vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol as well as plasma zinc, copper and magnesium concentration were estimated. Prevalence of underweight was 14.1% by Wt/age Z score. Stunting was estimated among 33.5% with significantly higher prevalence in older children. Muscle and fat depletion was detected in 30.2%, with significantly higher prevalence among males than females. Depleted fat store was detected in 14.7% of children. Wasting was documented in 14.1% of children by BMI percentile, and was significantly higher among males than females. No significant difference was detected between male and female handicapped children regarding mean blood hemoglobin values as well as mean plasma levels of the measured vitamins and minerals, except for mean plasma zinc level. The overall prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was higher in males [41.5%] than females [37.1%]. Deficiency of alpha- tocopherol was more prevalent than that of vitamin A. The overall prevalence of deficiency of zinc, magnesium and copper was 1.8%, 40%, and 25.3% respectively. The decline in anthropometric measurements was associated with the decline in socioeconomic status. Malnutrition as revealed by anthropometric variables and micronutrient deficiency occurs with a high prevalence among mentally disabled children and almost increased with age and low socioeconomic level