Eman Soliman Mohammed

Bio: Eman Soliman Mohammed is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Public health & Cross-sectional study. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 16 citations.

Prevalence and Correlates of Overweight and Obesity among School Children in Sohag, Egypt

Abstract: Background: Continually rising prevalence of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents is a major public health concern. This is due to its various and serious health hazards on one side and its preventable nature on the other side. This study aims at identification of prevalence of overweight and obesity and its risk factors among children between 6 - 14 years of age in Sohag, Egypt. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on 711 school children between 6 - 14 years in four months’ period from February to May 2016. Weight and height of the studied children were measured to calculate BMI, which was compared with standard Egyptian growth charts for determining overweight and obesity. Then a questionnaire containing data about socio demographic, parental obesity, early life and dietary risk factors was completed by the children’s parents. Result: Out of 711 studied children, 117 (16.5%) were overweight and 104 (14.6%) were obese. Residing in urban area, having an obese parent or both of them, low level of maternal education, being on formula feeding during early life and lack of fresh vegetables and fruits in diets were significant risk factors for overweight and obesity in the studied children (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: Improperly educated mothers together with sedentary life style manifested in obesity among the parents and lack of sport practice among children constituted the majors risk factors for childhood obesity. This emphasizes the need for increased health awareness of the community about the importance of proper nutrition and physical activity.

Prevalence of Underweight and Overweight and Its Association with Physical Fitness in Egyptian Schoolchildren.

Abstract: Underweight and overweight are serious health concerns for many children and could be associated with low physical-fitness levels. This study aimed (i) to evaluate the prevalence of underweight and overweight and (ii) to examine its association with the physical fitness levels in primary male and female schoolchildren. Including 13 government primary-schools, a cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2014 and 2017. Anthropometric characteristics together with the physical-fitness level were measured in 931 schoolchildren aged between 6- and 11-years old. The prevalence of under- and overweight children were 8.49% and 24.06%, respectively. These proportions were not significantly different between males and females and were affected by age (p < 0.001), with a higher prevalence of overweight and a lower prevalence of underweight at 9-11 years, compared to 6-8 years old. Concerning the physical fitness levels, statistical analysis showed a better performance among males compared to females, among participants aged 9-11 years, compared to 6-8 years old, and among underweight and normal-weight, compared to overweight children (p < 0.001). There was a higher prevalence of overweight and lower prevalence of underweight at 9-11 years compared to 6-8 years old. Physical fitness levels were better in (i) males, compared to females, (ii) schoolchildren aged 9-11 years, compared to 6-8 years old, and (iii) underweight and normal-weight, compared to overweight children.

Contribution of Home and School Environment in Children's Food Choice and Overweight/Obesity Prevalence in African Context: Evidence for Creating Enabling Healthful Food Environment.

Abstract: This review aimed primarily to investigate the current trends of overweight and obesity in school children in the African context, secondly to explore the contribution of home and school environments on the children's food choices and lastly suggesting measures for creating a healthier food environment. Despite the increase in overweight and obesity among school children, empirical evidence on their determinants in the African context is scarce, thus calls for consideration of home and school environments. A literature search was conducted between October and December 2018 using Medline (PubMed), Directory of Open Access Journals, Google Scholar, manual search and "grey" literature. This review included articles published between the 1st January 2008 and 30th June 2018. Out of 343 articles, 49 were included for the full text reading after meeting the inclusion criteria. Five reports from grey literature were also included. Results show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children in Africa is increasing and ranges from 40% in the 10-year period in which the review was taken. High socio-economic status, urban residence and female gender predicted higher prevalence of overweight/obesity. Few reviewed articles on the contribution of home and school environments on children's food choices showed a shred of evidence, thus calls for further research to address this gap. This review found an increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children in Africa. Therefore, further investigation of home and school environment is imperative to curb the increase in the magnitude of overweight and obesity.

Prevalence of Stunting, Overweight and Obesity among Egyptian Primary School Children in Behera Governorate

Abstract: Nutritional status is a primary determinant of a child’s health and well-being; Malnutrition negatively influences physical and mental development. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of stunting, overweight and obesity among primary school children in Behera Governorate, Egypt. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 2027 students. Anthropometric profile was assessed by calculating height for age, weight for age and BMI for age and gender Z scores. The prevalence of stunting and severely stunting growth were (11.3% and 1.15%). It was significantly associated with rural location, poorly educated mothers and birth order≥ 4. Thinness, overweight and obesity were (4.5%, 11% and 8.2%).

Behavioural approaches to treating overweight and obesity in adolescents.

Abstract: Being overweight and obese in adolescence are significant global public health issues which threaten the viability of basic healthcare delivery in many countries. The number of affected adolescents is growing at an alarming rate. Behavioural treatment, which refers to a set of principles and techniques designed to help people reverse maladaptive eating and activity habits, has become a crucial part of most programmes designed to address overweight and obesity. This article outlines three steps involved in the behavioural treatment of overweight and obesity in adolescents: antecedents, eating behaviour and the consequences of eating behaviour. Regular and consistent daily recording of food intake and the individual's activities are foundations of behavioural management, and should form part of the nursing care plan.

Dietary Habits and Age at Menarche in Relation to Body Weight Among Preparatory School Girls in Alexandria

Abstract: Background: Overweight and obesity are a public health crisis among adolescents worldwide. Adolescence is a crucial period for learning and adopting healthy eating and lifestyle habits that persist into adulthood. Obesity in childhood is linked to early menarche which places the adolescent girl in high risk of developing metabolic diseases as Type 2 DM and cardiovascular diseases and hormone related cancer as breast and endometrial cancer. Objective(s): The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in preparatory school girls in Alexandria and to examine their relation to dietary habits and age at menarche. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted. A total of 730 preparatory school girls from 4 governmental schools were chosen using stratified random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, dietary habits, physical activity status and menstrual history. Anthropometric measurements were taken (weight, height, waist circumference, BMI) and percentiles were compared to CDC growth charts. Results: In the present study, the prevalence of overweight in preparatory school girls was 14.7%, while that of obesity was 34.7% according to CDC charts. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 24.7%. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was lower in girls whose mothers were working. Almost half (47.9 %) of girls who scored poor in the dietary habits questionnaire were obese, compared to 38% who had normal body weight. Dietary habits that were associated with obesity were eating meals away from home and consuming 2-3 loafs of “balady” bread daily. As for the age at menarche 51.9% of those who started menstruating before the age of 12 years were obese compared to 35.5% of girls who started menses after the age of 12 and this was statistically significant (p=0.004). Age at menarche was negatively correlated with BMI. Conclusion and recommendations: About one third of preparatory governmental school girls were obese. This was negatively associated with the age at menarche. Dietary habits that were significantly associated with overweight/obesity included eating away from home and increased consumption of bread. These habits should be the targets for school based nutrition education campaigns. Keywords: Dietary Habits, Menarche, Preparatory School Girls, Egypt