Introduction: Thinness and lack of diversified foods are common nutritional problems among children in developing countries. There is limited evidence on the level of thinness, and dietary among school aged children in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of thinness and adequate dietary diversity and their predictors among primary schools. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Meskan District of Southern Ethiopia, from October 11 to November 3, 2016. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 408 school age children. Data on sociodemographic, and anthropometric variables were collected using structured and trained interviewer administered questionnaires and anthropometrists, respectively. Body-mass-index-forage z-scores for thinness were computed using WHO AnthroPlus, and dietary diversity score was generated using 24-hour recall dietary data. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with thinness and dietary diversity. A p-value <0.05 was used to declare the significance of association. Results: The prevalence of thinness was 10.1% (95% CI=7.1-13). Children who lived in urban areas were 65% less likely to be thin (AOR=0.35; 95% CI=0.13-0.93) compared to those who lived in rural areas after controlling for other variables. The proportion of children who met minimum dietary diversity was 27.5% (95% CI=23-32). Children living in households with rich wealth index Terciles (AOR=1.88; 95% CI=1.09-3.21) and children living in urban areas (AOR=2.38; 95% CI=1.28-4.39) were twice more likely to have adequate dietary diversity compared to their counter parts. Discussion: The prevalence of thinnessn is less common in the study area when compared to the prevalence reported by other studies in developing countries. Residence of children was associated with thinness. The practice of having diversified diet was low among children. Rich family wealth status and place of residence were significantly associated with adequate dietary diversity. Hence, targeted interventions that focus on rural children and household socioeconomic status are needed to improve dietary diversity and nutritional status.

Purpose: Obesity becomes the major public health problem worldwide and unhealthy lifestyles are the most risk factors of it. People wrongly perceive central obesity as an indicator of wealth group in western Ethiopian; however it is a midfielder for cardio-metabolism disorders. Thus, study aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity and associated factors among middle aged urban residents of west Ethiopia.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was applied. Data was collected from 266 participants as of world health organization approach in February 2019. Statistical package for social science version 24 was used to analyze. Descriptive statistical analysis was reported with frequency, percentage and mean ± standard division. A binary logistic analysis resulting with P < 0.25 candidate to multivariable and significant association was considered at p-value ≤ 0.05. Results:The prevalence of overweight, obesity and its combined index was 19.5%, 24.4% and 43.9% respectively. Based on Ethiopian references for waist circumference, about 58.6% adults were at risk of developing central obesity. The mean and standard division of twelve food groups was 5.4 ± 1.9. On binary analysis, being raised (systolic blood pressure; P = 0.034, diastolic blood pressure; P = 0.090, fasting blood sugar; P = 0.013), and high dietary diversity score (P = 0.038) were associated with central obesity. On multivariate analysis being: Raised triglycerides (P < 0.001); elevated diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.047) and high dietary diversity score (AOR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.12-2.25) were associated with central obesity, but dietary diversity was not significant (P = 0.379). Conclusion: Both general and central obesity was highly prevalent and associated significantly with independent variables. Consequently, age targeted Nutrition education needs attention to reduce the prevalence and complications from obesity related diseases.

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