Search

Purpose Iodine deficiency has several adverse effects on human growth and development and it is categorized collectively as iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). Recent estimations showed that 29.8 per cent of school-age children have insufficient iodine intake. Salt iodization is widely accepted as the best method for increasing iodine intake. In 1995, Morocco adopted the universal salt iodization strategy to reduce iodine deficiency and consequently prevent and control IDDs. This study aims to determine the benefit of this strategy on schoolchildren and adolescent by assessing iodine intake and evaluating iodine deficiency. Design/methodology/approach This transversal study was conducted on 131 children and adolescents. Iodine intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Iodine status was evaluated on 24-h urine samples and the creatinine excretion was used to validate completeness of urine collection. Findings The medians of urinary iodine excretion and concentration were 77 µg/day and 96 µg/L, respectively. Overall, 72.5 per cent are deficient, so mild and moderate iodine deficiencies were reported in 58 per cent and 14.5 per cent, respectively, and no child exhibited severe deficiency. A significant difference was reported between iodine deficiency and, sex and age; iodine deficiency was more pronounced in boys and children under eight years. In this study, iodine status in deficient children does not change with the consumption pattern of dairy products and eggs, and results showed no significant association (p > 0.05). However, fish consumption was significantly associated to urinary iodine concentration = 100 µg/L (p = 0.044). Average UIC in school-aged children is still inadequate and consumption of foods high in iodine remains very insufficient. Therefore, additional efforts must focus on nutritional education of Moroccan school-aged children. Originality/value In the author’s knowledge, this is the first study evaluating schoolchildren iodine status by 24-h iodine collection; the study reported association of iodine deficiency with dietary habit concerning sources of food rich on iodine.

In Morocco, noncommunicable diseases were responsible for 80% of all deaths in 2016. These risk factors are closely related to diet and physical activity. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of physical activity, sedentary behaviors and eating habits among a sample of Moroccan adolescents aged 14 to 19 years.This is a cross-sectional study involving a sample of 669 (285 boys and 384 girls) recruited during the year 2019 in the Province of Sidi Kacem-Morocco. Data on sedentary behaviors, physical activity and eating habits were collected using a validated questionnaire. Overall, 38% of Moroccan adolescents did not meet the recommended duration of one hour of moderate-intensity physical activity, boys are generally more active than girls (p

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among a group of adolescents and to assess the relationship of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) with body fat mass (BFM), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). A total of 167 subjects aged 11-17 years were recruited, 29.3% and 12.6% were overweight and obese respectively. BMI, WC, SBP and DBP were determined using standardized equipment. BFM was estimated by the deuterium oxide dilution. Hypertension (HT) and prehypertension (pre-HT) were observed in 17.4% and 9.6%, of the study population, respectively. The prevalence of HT and pre-HT was significantly higher in boys and in overweight-obese groups (p = 0.044; p = 0.003 respectively). Both SBP and DBP were significantly higher in overweight-obese compared to healthy-weight groups (p < 0.001; p = 0.002 respectively). SBP was significantly higher in boys than girls (p = 0.013). With some exceptions, SBP and DBP were significantly correlated with BMI, WC and BFM in the study population and different weight-status groups of both genders. The relationship of blood pressure with BMI appeared to be more significant than with WC and BFM. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in boys than girls and in overweight-obese than healthy-weight adolescents. Overall SBP and DBP were associated with BFM, BMI and WC. However, the strong association between these variables was seen in girls, and the greater risk of developing hypertension could be associated with increasing BMI.

ObjectiveThe study aimed to detail the lifestyle (physical activity and dietary habits) of Moroccan adolescents.DesignCross-sectional study undertaken in the framework of the ATLS (Arab Teens Lifestyle Study).SettingPhysical activity and dietary habits were determined using a validated questionnaire in public secondary schools.SubjectsA total of 669 adolescents aged 15·0–19·9 years were randomly recruited from Kenitra, Morocco.ResultsPhysical activity patterns and intensity differed between genders. As anticipated, male adolescents were more active than female adolescents across a typical week and engaged in more vigorous-intensity physical activity than female adolescents, who spent more time than male adolescents in moderate-intensity physical activity. Of particular concern was that one in five of the adolescents surveyed was inactive, with almost 45 % of the sample reporting television viewing for more than 2 h/d and 38 % engaged in computer use for a similar period. From a dietary perspective, most adolescents reported that they do not take breakfast or consume milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. In contrast, most reported consumption of doughnuts, cakes, candy and chocolate more than three times per week and approximately 50 % consumed sugary drinks more than three times per week.ConclusionsBased on a continuation of the self-reported lifestyle behaviours, adolescents in the present study are at risk of developing chronic diseases. Education programmes are urgently needed to assist in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and reduce the likelihood of overweight and obesity and related health risks among young people.

Background: The prevalence of obesity and related diseases such as metabolic syndrome (MetS) are increasing in young populations over the world, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MetS and its individual components, and to assess their association with both overweight/obesity and excess body fat. Methods: This study included 192 adolescents (77 boys and 115 girls) aged 11 to 17 years. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were done using standardized techniques. Fasting blood samples were taken for determination of glucose and lipids levels. Percent body fat was estimated using deuterium oxide. The international diabetes federation criteria were applied for the diagnosis of MetS. Results: The prevalence of MetS among overweight/obese adolescents was 18.6% while it was not observed in their normal weight counterparts. The most common abnormality found in the study population was reduced HDLcholesterol (26.6%) followed by elevated fasting blood glucose (22.4%) and high waist circumference (19.3%). Among overweight/obese groups, the rates of individuals with raised TG and reduced HDL-cholesterol were significantly higher in boys than girls (35.0% vs. 15.2%, p=0.044; and 32.5% vs. 13.0%, p=0.038, respectively). Compared to normal-weight adolescents, overweight/obese subjects had higher odds of having at least two MetS components (OR=5.37, 95%CI: 2.72-10.59), or at least three MetS components (OR=11.80, 95%CI: 3.40-41.03). Excess body fat showed similar degrees of association with clustering MetS components. Conclusions: The prevalence of MetS and its individual components was quite high among the study population, particularly among overweight/obese adolescents. MetS components were strongly associated with both overweight/ obesity and excess body fat. MetS and its components might be best predicted by obesity indexes, determined according to age and body mass index in adolescents, than accurate percent body fat.

Objectives. The study aimed to assess the relationship between body fat and each of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), and to test the effectiveness of fat mass (FM), percent of body fat (PBF), BMI, and WC in predicting high levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG).Methods. A total of 167 adolescents aged 11–17 years were recruited from Rabat region. BMI and WC were determined using standard equipments. FM and PBF were derived from isotope dilution technique. FBG was determined by the hexokinase method.Results. Regardless of the weight status, BMI showed a strong positive correlation with FM and PBF in both genders. WC was significantly correlated with FM in boys and girls, and with PBF in different groups of girls and boys of the study sample. However, there was no significant relationship between WC and PBF in normal weight and overweight-obese groups of boys. FBG was highly correlated with FM and PBF in girls of the study sample and in overweight-obese girls. Similar significant relationship between FBG and both BMI and WC was observed in overweight-obese girls, while there was no significant association between FBG and other variables in boys and normal-weight girls.Conclusion. BMI and WC were closely associated with FM and PBF, respectively. However, the degree of these associations depends on gender and weight status. BMI may provide a better proxy estimate of overall adiposity than WC; nevertheless, both of them would appear to be a reasonable surrogate for FM and PBF as screening tools to identify adolescents at risk of developing excess body fat and high level of FBG.