[Prevalence of obesity and overweight within the school environment in Tafilalet oasis, south-east of Morocco]. / Prévalence de l'obésité et du surpoids en milieu scolaire, oasis de Tafilalet, sud-est du Maroc.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a serious public health problem having a direct impact on physical and psychological health of individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight in a child population attending urban and rural schools in the oasis of Tafilalet. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study within the urban and rural public schools in of the oasis of Tafilalet. We recruited a representative sample of 3,684 children attending 39 public primary schools. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 9.81 ± 2.13 years. The total sample was divided into 1,794 boys (48.70%) and 1,890 girls (51.30%). Two thousand three hundred and nine lived in an urban area (62.70%) and 1,375 in a rural area (37.30%). According to the World Health Organization References, our study showed a rate of obesity of 1.9% and of 10.8% for overweight. Overweight and obesity were not significantly associated with children sex. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of obesity in the oasis of Tafilalet is less than the national and international values; lifestyle and dietary habits of this population appear to be a protective factor against overweight and obesity.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet of school-age children in Moroccan oases, Draa-Tafilalet Region.

BACKGROUND: Dietary patterns, eating behaviour and lifestyle are changing in Morocco. It would be interesting to identify and evaluate this transition in its Mediterranean context. AIMS: To assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and analyse associated factors in school-age children living in oasis environments. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3684 school-age children between May 2015 and November 2017 in Tafilalet Oasis. The mean age was 9.81 (2.13), 51.3% were girls, and 62.7% were from urban areas. Participants were recruited from public primary schools. Adherence to the MedDiet was evaluated by Mediterranean Diet Quality (KIDMED) index. Socioeconomic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were obtained. RESULTS: Only 2.12% had a poor KIDMED index, 57.9% had an average index and 39.98% had a high index. Maternal ethnicity was associated with degree of adherence to the MedDiet. Poor adherence was seen in 2.17% of urban participants compared with 2.04% of rural participants. Participants with high income were more likely to have good adherence to the MedDiet. Low levels of parental education were more likely to result in higher levels of poor adherence. There was no significant correlation between body weight and KIDMED index. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the study population had medium to good adherence to MedDiet, but low KIDMED index was observed. Interventions and strategies should be devised for preserving and promoting healthy eating habits in this target population.

Epidemiological Profile of Drug Overdose Reported in South-East Morocco from 2004 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Drug overdose, either accidental or intentional, is the most common cause of acute poisoning worldwide. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of drug poisoning recorded in the south east of Morocco and to identify the proportion of intentional versus accidental drug overdose. METHODS: This was an epidemiological study of 180 cases of medicinal poisoning registered with the Provincial Delegation of Health in Errachidia between January 2004 and December 2016. Information on demographic and drug overdose characteristics was obtained from the regional poison center. Drugs were categorized according to the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification system. RESULTS: Adults were the most affected group, with a median age of 21 years and a sex ratio of three females to every male. Drug poisoning mainly occurred in urban areas (83% of cases). Regarding clinical signs, 55.2% of patients presented with digestive signs and 27.6% with neurological signs. Other signs were also present: respiratory (5.1%), combined neurological and digestive (4.5%), cardiovascular (3.8%), and general (3.8%). Women represented 88.9% of those who had intentionally overdosed and 64.3% of those who had unintentionally overdosed. Benzodiazepine derivatives and other related drugs were involved in 21.5% of cases of drug poisoning, with other drugs found in patients with drug overdose as follows: paracetamol 3.3%, ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel 5%, and cyproheptadine 1.6%. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the number of reported cases of drug poisoning in south-east Morocco increased between 2004 and 2016. The intentional use of drugs in overdose was mostly  among adults, especially women. The drugs involved were predominantly psycholeptic drugs, followed by analgesics. Mortality was low, but investigation in a representative sample will show  the real severity and outcomes of drug overdoses.