Somatic Growth of a School-Aged Population from Mozambique: Trend and Biosocial Meaning

Prista, António; Maia, A. J. R.; Saranga, Silvio; Nhantumbo, Leonardo; Marques, António; Beunen, Gastón

doi:10.1353/hub.2005.0069

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Of the 96 studies [16]–[18], [20], [24]–[26], [29], [36], [39], [40], [43], [45], [46], [48], [51], [53]–[56], [59]–[61], [63]–[68], [70]–[72], [74], [76]–[80], [83], [85], [86], [89], [91], [92], [95], [96], [98], [103]–[105], [107], [109]–[114], [116]–[120], [123], [124], [126], [128], [129], [132], [133], [135], [136], [140], [143], [147], [149]–[152], [163], [169], [170], [214], [215], [218], [225], [281], [287], [289], [292], …”

Section: Resultsunclassified

Evidence of an Overweight/Obesity Transition among School-Aged Children and Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

et al. 2014

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BackgroundPrevalence of childhood overweight/obesity has increased considerably in recent years. The transition to higher rates of overweight/obesity has been well documented in high income countries; however, consistent or representative data from lower income countries is scarce. It is therefore pertinent to assess if rates of overweight/obesity are also increasing in lower income countries, to inform public health efforts.ObjectiveThis systematic review aimed to investigate the evidence for an overweight/obesity transition occurring in school-aged children and youth in Sub Saharan Africa.MethodsStudies were identified by searching the MEDLINE, Embase, Africa Index Medicus, Global Health, Geobase, and EPPI-Centre electronic databases. Studies that used subjective or objective metrics to assess body composition in apparently healthy or population-based samples of children and youth aged 5 to 17 years were included.ResultsA total of 283 articles met the inclusion criteria, and of these, 68 were used for quantitative synthesis. The four regions (West, Central, East, and South) of Sub Saharan Africa were well represented, though only 11 (3.9%) studies were nationally representative. Quantitative synthesis revealed a trend towards increasing proportions of overweight/obesity over time in school-aged children in this region, as well as a persistent problem of underweight. Weighted averages of overweight/obesity and obesity for the entire time period captured were 10.6% and 2.5% respectively. Body composition measures were found to be higher in girls than boys, and higher in urban living and higher socioeconomic status children compared to rural populations or those of lower socioeconomic status.ConclusionsThis review provides evidence for an overweight/obesity transition in school-aged children in Sub Saharan Africa. The findings of this review serve to describe the region with respect to the growing concern of childhood overweight/obesity, highlight research gaps, and inform interventions.PROSPERO Registration NumberCRD42013004399

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Section: Resultsunclassified

Evidence of an Overweight/Obesity Transition among School-Aged Children and Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

et al. 2014

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“…The comparison suggested that the final body proportions were similar in Asian children and populations of Asian origin had proportionately shorter legs, populations of European origin had intermediately long legs and populations of African origin had significantly longer legs. It is generally recognized that height is related to biological variation and a variety of environmental factors, including climatic conditions, geophysical and ecological conditions, diet, socio-economic status and social stability (Bogin, 1999;Mascie-Taylor & Lasker, 2005;Prista et al, 2005). However, less is known of the causes of variation on body proportions within human populations and this merits further study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reference charts of sitting height, leg length and body proportions for Chinese children aged 0–18 years

Zhang

2014

Annals of Human Biology

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“…The analysis reported here is one of the few studies of physical growth as an indicator of health in the postwar period of Mozambique. Previous studies are by Padez (2003) and Prista et al (2003Prista et al ( , 2005. It is estimated that 1 million Mozambicans died during the civil war.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Height and relative leg length as indicators of the quality of the environment among Mozambican juveniles and adolescents

Padez

Varela‐Silva

Bogin

2008

American J Hum Biol

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The growth status of Mozambique adolescents was assessed to test the hypothesis that relative leg length is a more sensitive indicator of the quality of the environment than the total height. The sample comprised 690 boys and 727 girls, aged between 9 and 17 years, from Maputo. It is divided between those living in the Centre of Maputo and those living in the slums on the periphery of the city. Height, weight, and sitting height were measured and the sitting height ratio was calculated. The hypothesis that relative leg length is more sensitive than total stature as an indicator of environmental quality is not uniformly confirmed. Overall, mean stature is greater for the centre group than the slum group, but relative leg length as measured by the sitting height ratio does not differ. Compared with African-American references (NHANES II), all centre girls, 9- to 14-year-old slum girls, all slum boys, and the oldest centre boys show relatively shorter legs. These findings show that within the Mozambique sample, relative leg length is not sensitive enough to distinguish the quality of the living environment. Mozambique was a colony of Portugal until 1975. Civil unrest and warfare characterized the late Colonial period and the postindependence period until a peace settlement was concluded in 1992. It is possible that all socioeconomic status groups within the country suffered sufficiently to reduce relative leg length compared with the better-off African-American reference sample. Possible genetic influences on relative leg length are also discussed.

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Somatic Growth of a School-Aged Population from Mozambique: Trend and Biosocial Meaning

Cited by 11 publications

References 20 publications

Evidence of an Overweight/Obesity Transition among School-Aged Children and Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Evidence of an Overweight/Obesity Transition among School-Aged Children and Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Reference charts of sitting height, leg length and body proportions for Chinese children aged 0–18 years

Height and relative leg length as indicators of the quality of the environment among Mozambican juveniles and adolescents

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