Stunting is a major risk factor for overweight: results from national surveys in 5 Arab countries

We analysed data on overweight and stunting from large national surveys performed between 2001 and 2004 in 5 Arab countries [Djibouti, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco, Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen]. Overweight and stunting were defined according to new WHO growth standards. Overweight ranged from 8.9% in Yemen to 20.2% in Syrian Arab Republic. The risk ratio [RR] for overweight in stunted children ranged from 2.14 in Djibouti to 3.85 in Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. RR ranged from 0.76 in mildly stunted children of Yemen to 7.15 in severely stunted children in Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. Etiological fraction in the population ranged from 7.49% to 69.76%

use of body mass index for measurement of fat mass in children is highly dependant on abdominal fat

We examined the relationship between body fat and body mass index [BMI] in a multiethnic population of obese children. BMI z-scores were compared to DEXA measures of whole body composition and regional fat distribution. Fat mass index [FMI] was best predicted by the equation: 1/[[0.159 - 0.013 x percentile of total abdominal fat] - [0.01 x BMI z-score]], where percentile of abdominal fat ranges from 1 to 5. Predicted FMI had high agreement with FMI measured by DEXA. There were no detectable differences in this relation between different ethnic groups. Both BMI and abdominal fat should be used as a proxy to determine adiposity

Estimate of specific energy expenditure of fat-free mass and fat mass in children receiving total parenteral nutrition

simple methods for calculation of the energy expenditure may be useful for clinicians involved in the treatment of nutritional disorders in children. The aims of this study were to i/ estimate the specific energy expenditure [SEE] of fat mass [FM] apd fat-free mass [FFM] and 2/ determine a sensitive predictive indicator of resting energy expenditure [REE]. the REE of 26 children receiving longterm tpn, was measured by long-term indirect calorimetry. body composition was estimated from the sum of four skinfold measurements the following regression equations were derived 0 REE [kcal/d] = 56.6 x FFM [kg] + 97.9 [r2 = 0.98, p < 0.001]; 2- REE [kcal/d] = 45.6 x bw [kg] + 136 [r2 = 0.92, p< 0.001]; 3- REE [kcal/d] = 68.9 x FFM [kg] + 3.3 x FM [kg] [r2 = 0.985, p < 0.001]. The results obtained allowed the estimate of kl and k2 with their respective see: kl = 3.3 +/- 18.0 kcal/kg of FM, k2 =; 68.9 +/- 3.1 kcal/kg of FFM. Conclusions: anthropometrically measured FFM is an easily detenhined predictive factor of REE. The above equations may be used to estimate the ref in stable children receiving TPN