Alimatou Juwara1, Nicole Huang1,2, Li-Ying Chien1,3, Hsin-Jen Chen4,5. 1. International Health Program, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. 2. Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. 3. Institute of Clinical and Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. 4. International Health Program, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. hsinjenchen@ym.edu.tw. 5. Institute of Public Health, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Medical Building II, R213, Beitou District, Taipei, 112, Taiwan, ROC. hsinjenchen@ym.edu.tw.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the disparity in nutritional status of adolescents between public and private schools in urban Gambia. METHODS: This is a school-based cross-sectional study in six private and six public upper basic schools in urban Gambia. This study recruited 491 students from public and 469 students from private schools (13-15 years of age). RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting (WHO height-for-age Z < -2SD) was 13.4 % for public school students and 4.5 % for private schools. After adjustment for children's sex, age, and family socioeconomic status, the differences in prevalence of stunting and underweight were significant between public and private schools. Private school students are more likely to be overweight/obese (WHO BMI-for-age Z > +1SD) (OR = 2.85, 95 % CI 1.55-5.22), but less likely to be thin (BMI-for-age Z < -2SD) (OR = 0.61 [0.39-0.96]), compared to public school students. Children from lower income families had lower odds for overweight/obese than normal weight, compared to those from higher income families (OR = 0.34 [0.15-0.76]). CONCLUSIONS: Public and private schools in urban regions of the Gambia may face different nutritional challenges due to differences in school environment and resources.
OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the disparity in nutritional status of adolescents between public and private schools in urban Gambia. METHODS: This is a school-based cross-sectional study in six private and six public upper basic schools in urban Gambia. This study recruited 491 students from public and 469 students from private schools (13-15 years of age). RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting (WHO height-for-age Z < -2SD) was 13.4 % for public school students and 4.5 % for private schools. After adjustment for children's sex, age, and family socioeconomic status, the differences in prevalence of stunting and underweight were significant between public and private schools. Private school students are more likely to be overweight/obese (WHO BMI-for-age Z > +1SD) (OR = 2.85, 95 % CI 1.55-5.22), but less likely to be thin (BMI-for-age Z < -2SD) (OR = 0.61 [0.39-0.96]), compared to public school students. Children from lower income families had lower odds for overweight/obese than normal weight, compared to those from higher income families (OR = 0.34 [0.15-0.76]). CONCLUSIONS: Public and private schools in urban regions of the Gambia may face different nutritional challenges due to differences in school environment and resources.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescents; Anthropometry; Nutritional status; School children
Authors: Stella K Muthuri; Lucy-Joy M Wachira; Allana G Leblanc; Claire E Francis; Margaret Sampson; Vincent O Onywera; Mark S Tremblay Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2014-03-20 Impact factor: 3.390