Growth patterns of school-children in Bahrain

Factors associated with obesity among women in bahrain

A sample of 420 women who attended a physical fitness program run by General Organization for Youth and Sport, was selected to study the association between obesity and some factors among adult females in Bahrain. Women were grouped into two categories, obese and non-obese, based on Body Mass Index (wt/ht2). The results revealed that age, education, employment, marital status, family size and practicing exercises before joining the fitness program have a statistically significant association with obesity, while ownership of cars, availability of housemaids, family history of obesity and meal patterns have no statistically significant association. There were no differences in source of nutrition information between obese and non-obese women. The study suggested that health education programs should focus on both sociocultural factors and health factors for preventing obesity in the community.

Energy and macronutrient intake and dietary pattern among school children in Bahrain: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Obesity is increasing in Bahrain and there is lack of information on the energy and macronutrient intake of children. The objective of this research was to study the energy and macronutrient intake as well as food frequency pattern of Bahraini school children.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on Bahraini school boys and girls aged 6-18 years from all the 11 populated regions of the country. Data on food intake consisted of a 24-hour dietary recall and was obtained by interviewing a sub-sample of the study population. Information was also obtained through a self-administered questionnaire for the entire sample on the weekly frequency of food items that were grouped into 7 categories based on similarity of nutrient profiles. Dietary analysis was performed using the Nutritionist 5 (First Data Bank Version 1.6 1998).

RESULTS

While the average energy intake of students was close to the Estimated Average Requirements of the UK Reference standards, protein intake substantially exceeded the Reference Nutrient Intake values as did daily sugar consumption. Dietary fiber fell short of the Dietary Recommended Values (UK) and 36%-50% students exceeded the Energy % limits for total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. The Polyunsaturated: Saturated fat ratio remained at an unacceptable level of 0.6 for girls and boys. While sweets, snacks and regular soda drinks were popular, milk, fruits and vegetables were not commonly consumed.

CONCLUSIONS

High sugar consumption, low intake of dietary fiber and high energy % of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol by many Bahraini children, is likely to increase their risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases in later life. Nutrition education programs in schools should emphasize the importance of healthy balanced diets for growth and health maintenance of children as well as dietary prevention of diseases.

Are growth curves for Iranian school-aged children different from the NCHS standards?

BACKGROUND

Assessment of physical growth in school-aged children is important for the assessment of nutritional status, promotion of health and learning ability of children. Assessment of physical growth is the main purpose of this research.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was performed on 2615 healthy school-aged children (6-11 years old) in the Autumn of 2006 using two-stage stratified cluster sampling for measurement of weight and height. Sample size calculation was performed using EPI info 6 software. Statistical calculations and calculation of raw growth percentiles were performed using Statistical Package of Social Science program 15.0.

RESULTS

The findings showed that boys less than 9.5 years of age were heavier than girls of the same age, while girls were heavier thereafter. Similarly, the average height of boys till 10 years was higher than the girls, but girls surpassed boys after 10 years of age. The fifth centile of boys' height at the ages of 6 and 7 years was higher than the same centile in the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). In all centiles and all ages, the height of Abadanian girls was below the age-matched NCHS centiles. This difference was significant in 6 (P=0.003), 7 (P=0.007), and 11 years (P=0.002). The results showed that at the age of 6 and 8 years, the 50th centile of the weight of Abadanian boys was slightly below the 50th centile of NCHS. At the age of 6 and 7 years, the 50th centile of girls weight was close to the 25th centile of NCHS, and as the age increased, it shifted upward, to come close to the 50th centile of NCHS. This difference between our study and NCHS girls' weight curve during the 6-11 age period was significant (Z-test, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There are some significant differences between the Iranian and NCHS growth parameters. It may be necessary to define new national growth parameters to assess our child health status.

Anthropometry and body composition of school children in Bahrain

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted because of the lack of a comprehensive nationwide assessment of data on the anthropometric status and related health problems in Bahraini school children aged 6 to 18 years.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the anthropometric status of school children enrolled in the primary, intermediate and secondary government schools in all populated regions of Bahrain. The sample size included 2594 students (1326 girls and 1268 boys) representing 2.5% of the total student population. For sample selection, a multi-stage sampling design was chosen that combined multi-cluster and simple random sampling methods. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, mid-arm circumference and skin fold thickness at two sites (triceps and subscapular). Anthropometric indices derived were body mass index (BMI) and arm muscle area. The WHO reference standards (2007) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) II data were used for comparison.

RESULTS

Compared to WHO reference standards, the median height of Bahraini children and adolescents in the age range of 6 to 18 years was close to the 25th percentile or lower, while the median BMI during adolescent years was comparable in boys, but higher than WHO standards in girls, reaching the 75th percentile. The cutoff values of BMI for overweight/obesity status (85th and 95th percentile) were higher by 3-6 kg/m(2) compared to WHO standards. While skin fold thicknesses were also higher in Bahraini adolescents compared to their American counterparts (NHANES II), arm muscularity was substantially lower.

CONCLUSIONS

Current study findings for BMI as well as skin fold thicknesses suggest an increased trend toward adiposity among Bahraini adolescents, especially in girls, which puts this age group at a high risk of adult obesity and its consequences. A need for urgent intervention programs is emphasized.

National growth charts for the United Arab Emirates

Background

Information on the health and growth status of the population is essential for planning and administering health promotion programs.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study of the anthropometric measurements of United Arab Emirates (UAE) children aged 0-18 years, by a multistage stratified random sampling technique based on age and sex. Healthy, full-term children of UAE nationality who did not have any diseases that could affect their growth pattern were included in the study. Children were selected using multistage sampling, using sampling proportional to size methods in 9 geographical areas. Growth charts for various anthropometric measures were created using Cole’s LMS statistical package. This package estimates age-specific percentiles with the use of smoothing splines after transformation to normality.

Results

A total of 21,068 children (12,159 females) between the ages of 0 and 18 years were studied. In the present study, we included 8-15% of the population aged 0-18 years. The growth chart for 0-36 months is very similar to the NCHS growth reference chart in terms of both weight for age and length and height for age. The mean (+SD) length/height in children was 49.9 ± 3.2 cm at birth, 75.9 ± 5.7 cm at 12 months, 86.4 ± 4.5 cm at 24 months, 95.1 ± 5.9 cm at 36 months, and 111.1 ± 6.4 cm at 60 months. The height of UAE children in the first 3 years of life, especially at the ages of 2 and 3 years, mirrored those achieved by Brazilian children in the WHO study.

Conclusion

The results of the present study are useful for growth assessment of UAE children.

Anthropometric characteristics of Indian school children living in Bahrain

A cross-sectional study was carried out among Indian school children residing in Bahrain to assess their physical growth. The total sample of 1,437 Indian school children (718 males and 719 females) aged 6-18 years were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. Anthropometric measurements included measurement of height, weight, mid-arm circumference, biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness.

RESULTS

Median height of the boys was between the 10th and 25th percentile of the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) standard growth charts. In girls, the height varied between the 5th and 25th percentile, dipping to nearly the 5th percentile at 14 years. Median weight of the boys fluctuated between the 25th and the 50th percentile of the standard data and in girls, weight fluctuated between the 25th and 50th percentile. Girls had a higher mean body mass index (BMI) and body fat compared with the males at all age groups. The median BMI for both groups was between the 50th and 75th percentile of the standard charts. The median triceps skinfold in males was above the 85th percentile at 17 years, whereas in females, skinfold thickness was steady between the 50th and 85th percentiles of the growth charts.

CONCLUSION

Compared with their Bahraini counterparts, two distinct growth patterns were evident. When compared with early data, the Indian children were taller and heavier than their Bahraini counterparts. However, comparison with later data showed a reversal, whereby the Bahraini children were taller and heavier with a corresponding higher BMI.

Anthropometry of adolescent girls in Bahrain, including body fat distribution

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To determine anthropometric measurements of adolescent Bahraini girls, including obesity and fat composition.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

A cross-sectional sample of 584 Bahraini girls aged 12-19 years, were selected from schools using multistage stratified sampling procedure. Fifteen anthropometric measurements were taken (weight, height, circumferences for upper arm, upper forearm, upper chest, chest, waist, hip, thigh and medial calf, triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac). Body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, sum of skinfold thickness and % body fat were also computed.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

The findings revealed a significant increase in all anthropometric measurements with increase in age. The mean weights for girls was higher than those reported in 1986 for the same age group, but no difference was observed in the mean heights, indicating a trend toward overweight. Using the 85th and 95th centiles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (NHANESI) BMI distribution to define respectively overweight and obesity, the prevalence of overweight was 38.5% and of obesity was 6.3%. The means for BMI, waist/hip ratio, sum of skinfold thickness and % body fat were higher than those reported in many developed and developing countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Bahraini adolescent girls have a higher proportion of body fat than their counterparts in many Western countries. This may contribute to some chronic diseases in adulthood. An intervention programme, therefore, is urgently needed to reduce overweight and obesity at childhood and adolescent stages.

Profile of body composition of school children (6-18y) in Bahrain

OBJECTIVE

To study the body composition of Bahraini school children.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional national school survey.

SUBJECTS

School children aged 6-18y. The sample comprised 818 boys and 775 girls.

MEASUREMENTS

Weight, height, arm circumference and skinfold thicknesses were measured. Sum of skinfold thickness, body mass index (BMI), mid arm circumference, percentage body fat, fat weight and lean body weight were then calculated to determine body composition.

RESULTS

A significant difference in the sum of skinfold thickness was observed between boys and girls. The girls have almost 50% extra skinfold thickness than boys at all ages. Similar trends were found in BMI, except at ages 9 and 18y. The percentage of body fat was higher in girls than boys. The mean BMI for Bahraini girls aged 13y and above exceeds that of their American counterparts, indicating a trend towards fat accumulation in the Bahraini girls.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained are useful for monitoring obesity in school children in Bahrain as well as being usable as reference data for similar countries in the region. The high proportion of body fat among Bahraini school children, especially girls, urges an intervention program to prevent and control obesity in this age group.

Nutritional status of adolescent girls in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study is to assess the nutritional status of Saudi adolescent girls using weight and height measurements. A cross-sectional sample of 676 girls aged 12 to 19 years were selected from Al-Khober city, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. At all ages median (50th percentiles) heights of Saudi girls are below the 50th percentiles of the international standards. However, the median weight falls between the 75th and 50th of the standards, which may indicate a trend toward obesity. Using the body mass index for determining the nutritional status of the girls, it was found that 11% of girls were underweight, 61% were normal and 28% were overweight or obese. The findings revealed that adolescent girls in Saudi Arabia face two contrasting nutrition situations, underweight and overweight. Similar findings were reported in other Arabian Gulf countries, indicating the need for intervention programmes to promote better nutrition among school children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia.

Obesity among secondary school students in Bahrain

The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of obesity and factors associated with it in Bahraini secondary school students. A cross-sectional study involving a sample of 825 students (417 boys and 408 girls) aged 15 to 21 years was obtained from secondary schools. Obesity was determined using body mass index (BMI = Wt/Ht2). The findings revealed that 15.6% of boys and 17.4% of girls were either overweight or obese (BMI > or = 25). Family size, parents education, and family history of obesity were significantly associated with obesity among boys, while family history was the only socio-economic factors statistically associated with obesity among girls. Meal patterns such as eating between meals, number of meals per day, and method of eating were not associated with obesity in students. Boys who ate alone were 3 times more likely to be obese than those who ate with family members (odd ratio = 3.4). Measures to prevent and control obesity among children are suggested.

Height, weight and menarcheal age of adolescent girls in Oman

A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 683 school girls aged 11.5-18.5 years in Oman, in order to assess their physical growth. Height, weight and age at menarche were measured. Results showed that median height and weight of Omani girls fluctuates between 25th and 5th percentiles and 25th and 10th percentiles of the North American reference standard (NCHS), respectively. The mean age at menarche was 13.3 +/- 0.09 years. In general Omani girls are shorter and lighter than girls of similar age in other Arabian Gulf countries (Bahrain and Kuwait).

Growth patterns of adolescents in Bahrain

Weight and height of adolescents in Bahrain (15.5-19.5 years) was measured to evaluate their growth patterns. A cross-sectional survey was done on 825 students that represented 5% of total secondary students. The results showed that median height and weight of Bahraini adolescents were below the 50th percentiles of the Western standard. However, when compared with earlier surveys in Bahrain, the growth pattern has improved. This is because of improvement in health and in the environment.