The objective of this study was to investigate iron status of school children aged 7-12 years in some rural communities in Nigeria as well as identify factors associated with anemia in the children. A total of 249 school children, 120 males and 129 females aged between 7-12 years were used in the study. Haemomoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (PCV) and serum ferritin were used to determine anaemia and iron status in 208 children. The subjects were also screened for malaria parasites and worm infection to determine their impact on anaemia. C-reactive protein (CRP) was used as an indicator of inflammation or infection. Socioeconomic, anthropometric and body composition information were collected from the children, while dietary iron intake was determined using a combination of 24 hour dietary recall, food frequency questionnaire and weighed inventory technique. The values obtained for energy and nutrient intakes were compared with RDA recommendations. Anaemia was defined as Hb < 11.0mg/dl and iron deficiency was defined as serum ferritin levels below 12ug/dl. Correlation coefficient was used to evaluate association between anaemia and nutritional as well as health factors. The results showed that the prevalence of anaemia was 82.6%, while iron deficiency was 77.8%. The average daily iron intake was 30% below the recommended allowance. There was a high prevalence of inflammatory disorders as indicated by CRP. Malaria parasite and worm infestations were high in the children (93.2% and 41.8%, respectively). Anaemia was significantly associated with helminth infestation, malaria parasite and CRP. The children had a mean weight and height below the recommended standards. Of all the children in the study (n=249), 77% were both stunted and underweight while 56% were wasted. The body composition values of normal children (body fat, triceps, subscapula skinfold thicknesses and abdominal circumference) were significantly higher than those of the malnourished children (p<0.05). The percentage of children having low BMI (<14.59) was 23.69%.The need for malaria and helminth control in these communities is recommended.

To assess prevalence of overweight/obesity and associated factors in a group of university undergraduates in southeast Nigeria. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Five tertiary institutions in southeast Nigeria. Methods: A total of 1610 undergraduates were selected using multistage sampling. A validated questionnaire on sociodemographic, dietary and lifestyle factors was used. Variables studied included body mass index (BMI), waist:hip ratio (WHR) and blood pressure (BP). Descriptive statistics and Chi square test were used for data analyses. Results: Prevalence of obesity and overweight were 6.5% [4.2% males; 8.4% females (p < 0.05)] and 13.4% [8.4% males; 17.7% females (p < 0.05)], respectively. A higher prevalence of central obesity and abdominal obesity was found in the females (15.7% and 27.2%, respectively) compared to the males (1.1% and 2.4%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Consumption of unhealthy snack foods (X 2 = 13.39), being a female (X 2 = 47.91), first year student (X 2 = 41.82), and having high systolic (X 2 = 88.18) and diastolic (X 2 = 10.17) BP were associated with obesity (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Prevalence of obesity was high in the studied population and, if left unchecked, portends deleterious consequences, especially with respect to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

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Background: Obesity is currently a global epidemic. Conventional treatments have not been very satisfactory to patients, warranting a search for alternative therapeutic options that are natural, safe and affordable. This study therefore investigated the anti-obesity potentials of aqueous and methanol extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Del (AEVA and MEVA respectively) in a rat model in which obesity was induced using a high-fat diet. Materials and Methods: Forty two Wistar rats were randomised into 7 groups of 6 rats each. One group served as the Normal Control group and obesity was induced in the other 6 groups. One of the 6 groups each served as Positive Control and Negative Control while the 4 test groups were designated AEVA100, AEVA500, MEVA50 and MEVA200, respectively. The study lasted for 12 weeks after which standard protocols were followed for all analyses and determinations. Results: The results show that both AEVA and MEVA at the tested concentrations resulted in significant (P < 0.05) weight loss (without affecting internal organs negatively), and significant (P < 0.05) improvement in some metabolic markers of obesity in the test rats compared to the negative control rats. MEVA 200 had the greatest anti-obesity effect while MEVA 50 was the least effective. All the test extracts compared well with Orlistat used as the positive control drug on all counts. Conclusion: The observed weight-loss benefits of AEVA and MEVA are attributable to the rich milieu of phytochemicals found in Vernonia amygdalina Del. Further studies to unlock the mechanisms through which the observed weight loss is mediated are warranted.

Background: Obesity is currently a global epidemic. Conventional treatments have not been very satisfactory to patients, warranting a search for alternative therapeutic options that are natural, safe and affordable. This study therefore investigated the anti-obesity potentials of aqueous and methanol extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Del (AEVA and MEVA respectively) in a rat model in which obesity was induced using a high-fat diet. Materials and Methods: Forty two Wistar rats were randomised into 7 groups of 6 rats each. One group served as the Normal Control group and obesity was induced in the other 6 groups. One of the 6 groups each served as Positive Control and Negative Control while the 4 test groups were designated AEVA100, AEVA500, MEVA50 and MEVA200, respectively. The study lasted for 12 weeks after which standard protocols were followed for all analyses and determinations. Results: The results show that both AEVA and MEVA at the tested concentrations resulted in significant (P < 0.05) weight loss (without affecting internal organs negatively), and significant (P < 0.05) improvement in some metabolic markers of obesity in the test rats compared to the negative control rats. MEVA 200 had the greatest anti-obesity effect while MEVA 50 was the least effective. All the test extracts compared well with Orlistat used as the positive control drug on all counts. Conclusion: The observed weight-loss benefits of AEVA and MEVA are attributable to the rich milieu of phytochemicals found in Vernonia amygdalina Del. Further studies to unlock the mechanisms through which the observed weight loss is mediated are warranted.