Dietary intake and lifestyle behaviors of children in Mauritius

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the dietary intake, fruit, vegetable and energy intake and lifestyle behaviors among Mauritian children. A validated questionnaire was used, assessing dietary intake, mean energy intake, mean body mass index (BMI), lifestyle behaviors as well as nutritional knowledge (NK) among males and females. 336 children aged 6–12 years (165 males and 171 females) from 8 public primary schools were recruited. Statistical analyses revealed that children consumed less nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains and more of refined and calorie-laden foods, with no significant differences across genders. Mean energy intake of children was 1522 ± 282.4 kcal per day while mean BMI was 17.5 ± 4.03 kg/m2. Majority of children had a low-to-moderate physical activity level (PAL), with males being more active than females on average (P = 0.021). 88.7% of children watched TV for more than an hour daily, with 84.8% of them reporting to be eating during the process. Females were more likely to be breakfast skippers (P = 0.003). Maximum frequency of snacking was twice daily (72.7%) while consumption of fast food was once or twice weekly (44.0%). Results indicate the need for intervention with aim of improving the dietary and life quality of children in Mauritius.

Preference, Attitude, Recognition and Knowledge of Fruits and Vegetables Intake Among Malay Children

“…The results of this study showed that Malay children had a moderate (73.6%) knowledge level regarding fruit and vegetable intake. This level was higher as compared to the study by Bundhun et al ( 35 ) who reported a nutrition knowledge level of 53.3% regarding the fruit and vegetable intake among the Mauritian childhood population. This difference could be attributed to the study population of Malay children from urban areas as compared to the study population investigated by Bundhun et al ( 35 ) that was composed of children from rural areas in Mauritius.…”

Nivel de actividad física autoinformado en escolares que realizan educación física: una revisión sistemática

“…Particularly in Hawaii, the alarming prevalence found for overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in the southern islands of the Pacific Ocean could influence these low levels of PA; being the highest in the world (NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, 2017). Similarly, in the only study found in Africa, the results by Bundhun et al (2018) for Mauritian schoolchildren seem to point in the same direction. Along these lines, it could be useful to apply national policies that promote the use of non-motorized means of transportation, such as walking and cycling; as well as the promotion and participation in recreational and sports activities in free time (Guthold et al, 2018).…”

“…In America, it was similar in two of the six studies (33.3%); one in North America (Brown et al, 2018) and another in South America (Silva & Cavalcante Neto, 2017). In Europe, it was similar in two of the eight studies (25.0%) (García-Cervantes et al, 2016;Sandercock & Cohen, 2019); and also in the only study found on the African continent (100%) (Bundhun et al, 2018).…”

“…Table 3 shows the characteristics of the studies found during the searching, including author/s, year of publication, sample size and age, and the results on the level of selfreported PA; both globally, and stratified by gender or body status, whenever possible. In total, we included 23 studies in the review: eight in Europe (four from Spain, three from England and one from Switzerland) (Arriscado et al, 2015;Benítez-Porres et al, 2016a, 2016bGarcía-Cervantes et al, 2016;Sandercock & Cohen, 2019;Schmidt et al, 2017;Voss et al, 2014); eight in Asia (three in Iran, three in Malaysia and two in China) (Chan et al, 2019;Firouzi et al, 2014;Guo & Wang, 2017;Jan Mohamed et al, 2015;Keykhaei et al, 2016;Khodaverdi & Bahram, 2015;Rostami-Moez et al, 2017;Thien et al, 2015); six in America (three in Canada, one in the US, one in Brazil and one in Nicaragua) (Brown et al, 2018;Silva & Cavalcante Neto, 2017;Ferland et al, 2015;Khan et al, 2015;Reyes Ortiz et al, 2018;Voss et al, 2014); and one in Africa (Mauritius) (Bundhun et al, 2018). However, the cross-cultural study by Voss et al (2014) was carried out in both America (Canada) and Europe (England); including the results of two samples in the same research work.…”

“…Regarding the level of self-reported PA in schoolchildren, 14 studies stratified the results by gender; 5, presented global data; 3 of them classified according to the level of PA (Bundhun et al, 2018;Silva & Cavalcante Neto, 2017;Jan Mohamed et al, 2015); and another study categorized on body weight status (normal weight or overweight) (Firouzi et al, 2014). However, besides the categorization according to gender, Noonan et al (2016) also did so based on deficiencies (high or moderate).…”