An intervention programme for improving the nutritional status of children aged 2-5 years in Alexandria.

We assessed the effect of a selected intervention on the nutritional status of 2-5-year-old children in day care centres. Using a longitudinal prospective pretest/post-test intervention design, 974 children from 3 day care centres in Alexandria were followed for 1 year. Anthropometric measurements and 3-day 24-hour recall data were gathered at base line and dietary intake was calculated and compared with recommended daily allowances. An intervention programme was implemented through the establishment of kitchens in the 3 centres, provision of 2 meals/day, nutrition education for parents and training of supervisors. Baseline data revealed deficient intake of most nutrients especially calcium, calories, vitamin C and iron. Post-intervention test revealed improvement in mothers' nutrition knowledge and the percentage of anaemic children decreased from 47.3% to 14.2%. A decrease in the percentage of underweight, stunted and wasted was also observed. The cost of the programme per child per year was US$ 20.5.

An intervention programme for improving the nutritional status of children aged 2-5 years in Alexandria

We assessed the effect of a selected intervention on the nutritional status of 2-5-year-old children in day care centres. Using a longitudinal prospective pretest/post-test intervention design, 974 children from 3 day care centres in Alexandria were followed for 1 year. Anthropometric measurements and 3-day 24-hour recall data were gathered at base line and dietary intake was calculated and compared with recommended daily allowances. An intervention programme was implemented through the establishment of kitchens in the 3 centres, provision of 2 meals/day, nutrition education for parents and training of supervisors. Baseline data revealed deficient intake of most nutrients especially calcium, calories, vitamin C and iron. Post-intervention test revealed improvement in mothers' nutrition knowledge and the percentage of anaemic children decreased from 47.3% to 14.2%. A decrease in the percentage of underweight, stunted and wasted was also observed. The cost of the programme per child per year was US$ 20.5

Obesity among female university students in the United Arab Emirates.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of obesity among female students from the United Arab Emirates University. A sample of 566 students was taken. Body weight and height were measured. The students were interviewed to collect data on age, home Emirate, obesity in childhood, obesity among parents, food intake between meals, the consumption of fast foods and physical activity. A student was considered overweight when the body weight was 110-120% of the reference weight of height and was considered obese when the body weight exceeds 120% of the reference value. The results show that 10.8% of the students were overweight and 30.6% were obese. While the prevalence of obesity increased with age, obesity among students was associated with obesity during childhood, the presence of obesity among one or both parents, food intake between meals and in particular fast foods. Limited physical exercise and long afternoon napping were important contributors to the development of obesity.

Nutritional status survey of preschool children in Kuwait

The nutritional status of 645 male and 635 female preschool children in Kuwait was assessed. Mothers were interviewed to collect data on socioeconomic variables. The length/height and body weight of the children were recorded and haemoglobin concentration was determined. The results show that 11.5% of the boys and 9.9% of the girls were stunted; the prevalence of wasting was fairly similar in both sexes [10.1%-10.9%]. Obesity was more prevalent in girls [18.4%] than boys [16.1%]. Anaemia was more prevalent in boys [32.9%] than girls [25.8%]. Factors such as birth order, family income and mother's education and employment were found to affect the prevalence of undernutrition

Factors affecting birth weight in Kuwait. Part I, Maternal, dietary and socioeconomic factors.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal nutrition, vitamin supplementation and socioeconomic status on infants birth weight in Kuwait. The weight of 1995 newborn Kuwaiti infants was recorded shortly after delivery. Data on mothers' bodyweight just before pregnancy, height, weight gain during pregnancy and vitamin intake were recorded. Mothers were interviewed to collect data in family income, educational level and employment during pregnancy. The results show that mean birth weight in Kuwait (3.50 Kg) compares favourably with any country. The birth weight was affected by several factors. Maternal body weight, height and weight gain during pregnancy were positively correlated with birth weight. The results also show that the intake of vitamin supplement during pregnancy did not have a significant inference on birth weight. Obese mothers consuming a reducing diet delivered babies with birth weight slightly above normal. The results show that mothers from high income families had heavier babies when compared with a low income group. On the other hand, educated and employed mothers were more liable to have slightly smaller babies when compared with illiterate or unemployed mothers.

The impact of partial termination of food subsidy programme on food consumption pattern.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the public opinion towards the possible replacement of ration cards by cash payment and to investigate the effect of partial termination of food price subsidy programme on food consumption by families from different income brackets. A purposive sample of 300 families from Alexandria Governorates were interviewed to assess the attitude of the consumer towards the possible termination of current food subsidy programme. After one year, during which the subsidy programme was reduced, a follow up sample of 240 were interviewed. The results show that a large proportion of the families prefer the continuation of the current programme (80-81.2%), meanwhile, around 90% of them believed that subsidized foods do not reach the target group. The data show that subsidized meat and poultry are consumed by high income families while frozen subsidized fish was mostly consumed by poor families. The partial termination of the subsidy programme forced the families to reduce their consumption from sugar, tea, oil, and rice. During the second phase of the study. However the results show that high income families were least affected by the partial termination of the subsidy programme.

Impact of price hike on bread consumption in Egypt.

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of price hike on bread consumption pattern. A purposive sample of 300 families was selected to represent low, middle and high income families. Bread consumption pattern was investigated including purchase of balady and french bread, daily percapita share from each type, number of left over loaves, methods of handling excess bread and consumers suggestions to improve bread quality. The data was collected over two phases, in the first phase the price of a loaf of bread was 2 P.T. The follow up data was collected after the price of a loaf of bread was increased to 5 P.T. The result show that balady bread was more frequently purchased by low income families, while french bread was consumed at a relatively higher rate by high income families particularly during the second phase of the study. The increase in the price of bread did not have any effect on the quantity purchased or on the number of left over loaves. However, the results show that there was a limited reduction in the quantity of bread wasted. The majority of the sample families accepted the present price of bread. However when given the choice, they preferred to reduce the weight of a loaf rather than increasing the price.

Expatriate maids and food patterns in Kuwait.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the maid and her nationality on infant feeding patterns, nutritional status of mothers and food pattern in Kuwait. A multistage stratified sample of 2004 Kuwaiti families was taken to represent all districts in Kuwait. Mothers were interviewed to collect data on infant feeding patterns, types of foods presented daily and the nutritional status of the mother was assessed. When there was no maid, 65.3% of the infants were breast fed, such rate declined to 55.1% when a maid was employed. The duration of breast feeding was prolonged from 5.43 months in the presence of a maid to 7.29 months in her absence. Obesity was more prevalent among mothers (44.7%) when a maid was employed and decreased when they received no help (35.4%). The results show that traditional dishes are presented for lunch which is the major meal of the day. Food items presented for breakfast or dinner are more diversified. Hamburger, fried potato, macaroni and fried chicken have become popular dishes in Kuwait. The types of food presented were significantly associated with the nationality of the maid.

Overweight and obesity in Kuwait.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult females. A multistage stratified sample of 2999 adult females was examined. 52.5% were found to be overweight (10-20% above reference weight tables) and 42% obese (more than 20% above reference standards). The numbers increased with age. There were fewer obese and more overweight the higher the standard of education, with a similar pattern with the husbands' standard of education. Obesity was more prevalent (46.8%) in non-working women, 36.8% among those in management and 32.9% among those in technical work, while the corresponding figures for those overweight were 47.7%, 56.9% and 62.2%. The prevalence of obesity increased with family size while that of overweight fell. A similar pattern was found with the number of children. Family income was inversely related to the prevalence of obesity and positively related to overweight.

Infant feeding pattern and weaning practices in Kuwait.

A survey was carried out to investigate infant feeding pattern and weaning practices in Kuwait. The study covered 2833 mothers of children less than three years old. The results showed that 60.6% of the infants were breast-fed, 14.0% were bottle-fed and 25.4% received mixed feeding. The mean duration of breast feeding was 5.8 months and varied from 9.5 to 4.3 months among illiterate and educated mothers respectively. The results also showed that older mothers were more likely to breast-feed their infants for a longer duration. On the contrary, mothers from high-income families were less likely to practise breast-feeding. In addition, the study revealed that 37.4% of the infants were weaned suddenly; the reasons for weaning were stated as: insufficient milk (30.7%), new pregnancy (14.7%), infant reaching weaning age (12.3%), mothers' sickness (12.0%), infant refusal (10.6%) and mothers' desire (6.6%).

Role of family susceptibility, occupational and family histories and individuals' blood groups in the development of silicosis.

A previous investigation has shown that family susceptibility and occupational and family histories have a decisive role in the development of byssinosis among workers exposed to flax dust. Results of investigation of silicosis in 814 male workers exposed to silica-bearing dust showed that family susceptibility has an important role in the development of silicosis among examined workers, and workers whose fathers had an occupational history of exposure to silica-bearing dust were more resistant to the development of the disease than those with non-exposed fathers. The degree of consanguinity of parents and individuals' blood groups, also, have a role. Workers with cousin parents were relatively highly susceptible to the development of silicosis as well as workers with blood groups "O" or "AB". It has been concluded that the investigated factors might have a role in the development of other occupational diseases and further investigations are indicated.

Epidemiological investigation of the role of family susceptibility and occupational and family histories in the development of byssinosis among workers exposed to flax dust.

Epidemiological investigation of 475 workers exposed to dust in flax processing has shown that family susceptibility has a decisive role in the development of byssinosis in those workers. Workers whose fathers had occupational history of exposure to flax dust were more resistant to the development of the disease than those whose fathers had no such history. Such tolerance was much higher in workers whose fathers were byssinotic than those with byssinosis-free fathers. Further hereditary and immunological investigations are, however, needed.