Vulnerable newborn types: analysis of subnational, population-based birth cohorts for 541 285 live births in 23 countries, 2000-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To examine prevalence of novel newborn types among 541 285 live births in 23 countries from 2000 to 2021. DESIGN: Descriptive multi-country secondary data analysis. SETTING: Subnational, population-based birth cohort studies (n = 45) in 23 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) spanning 2000-2021. POPULATION: Liveborn infants. METHODS: Subnational, population-based studies with high-quality birth outcome data from LMICs were invited to join the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We defined distinct newborn types using gestational age (preterm [PT], term [T]), birthweight for gestational age using INTERGROWTH-21st standards (small for gestational age [SGA], appropriate for gestational age [AGA] or large for gestational age [LGA]), and birthweight (low birthweight, LBW [<2500 g], nonLBW) as ten types (using all three outcomes), six types (by excluding the birthweight categorisation), and four types (by collapsing the AGA and LGA categories). We defined small types as those with at least one classification of LBW, PT or SGA. We presented study characteristics, participant characteristics, data missingness, and prevalence of newborn types by region and study. RESULTS: Among 541 285 live births, 476 939 (88.1%) had non-missing and plausible values for gestational age, birthweight and sex required to construct the newborn types. The median prevalences of ten types across studies were T+AGA+nonLBW (58.0%), T+LGA+nonLBW (3.3%), T+AGA+LBW (0.5%), T+SGA+nonLBW (14.2%), T+SGA+LBW (7.1%), PT+LGA+nonLBW (1.6%), PT+LGA+LBW (0.2%), PT+AGA+nonLBW (3.7%), PT+AGA+LBW (3.6%) and PT+SGA+LBW (1.0%). The median prevalence of small types (six types, 37.6%) varied across studies and within regions and was higher in Southern Asia (52.4%) than in Sub-Saharan Africa (34.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation is needed to describe the mortality risks associated with newborn types and understand the implications of this framework for local targeting of interventions to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes in LMICs.

Development and validation of a quantitative snack and beverage food frequency questionnaire for adolescents.

BACKGROUND: A short, reliable and valid tool to measure snack and beverage consumption in adolescents, taking into account the correct definitions, would benefit both epidemiological and intervention research. The present study aimed to develop a short quantitative beverage and snack food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and to assess the reliability and validity of this FFQ against three 24-h recalls. METHODS: Reliability was assessed by comparing estimates of the FFQ administered 14 days apart (FFQ1 and FFQ2) in a convenience sample of 179 adolescents [60.3% male; mean (SD) 14.7 (0.9) years]. Validity was assessed by comparing FFQ1 with three telephone-administered 24-h recalls in a convenience sample of 99 adolescents [52.5% male, mean (SD) 14.8 (0.9) years]. Reliability and validity were assessed using Bland-Altman plots, classification agreements and correlation coefficients for the amount and frequency of consumption of unhealthy snacks, healthy snacks, unhealthy beverages, healthy beverages, and for the healthy snack and beverage ratios. RESULTS: Small mean differences (FFQ1 versus FFQ2) were observed for reliability, ranking ability ranged from fair to substantial, and Spearman coefficients fell within normal ranges. For the validity, mean differences (FFQ1 versus recalls) were small for beverage intake but large for snack intake, except for the healthy snack ratio. Ranking ability ranged from slightly to moderate, and Spearman coefficients fell within normal ranges. CONCLUSIONS: Reliability and validity of the FFQ for all outcomes were found to be acceptable at a group level for epidemiological purposes, whereas for intervention purposes only the healthy snack and beverage ratios were found to be acceptable at a group level.

Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology - nutritional epidemiology (STROBE-nut): An extension of the STROBE statement.

Concerns have been raised about the quality of reporting in nutritional epidemiology. Research reporting guidelines such as the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement can improve quality of reporting in observational studies. Herein, we propose recommendations for reporting nutritional epidemiology and dietary assessment research by extending the STROBE statement into Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology - Nutritional Epidemiology (STROBE-nut). Recommendations for the reporting of nutritional epidemiology and dietary assessment research were developed following a systematic and consultative process, co-ordinated by a multidisciplinary group of 21 experts. Consensus on reporting guidelines was reached through a three-round Delphi consultation process with 53 external experts. In total, 24 recommendations for nutritional epidemiology were added to the STROBE checklist. When used appropriately, reporting guidelines for nutritional epidemiology can contribute to improve reporting of observational studies with a focus on diet and health.

Prevalence and socioeconomic differences of risk factors of cardiovascular disease in Ecuadorian adolescents.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to report the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and socioeconomic differences in school-going Ecuadorian adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed from January 2008 until April 2009 in 770 adolescents aged 10 to 16 years old, who attend secondary schools in an urban (Cuenca), and rural area (Nabón) in Ecuador. Data collected for the overall sample included anthropometric variables (weight, height and waist circumference), blood pressure and socio-demographic characteristics. Fasting blood glucose and lipid profile determinations were collected in a subsample of 334 adolescents. RESULTS: The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors were dyslipidemia (34.2%), abdominal obesity (19.7%) and overweight (18.0%). The prevalence of the remaining cardiovascular risk factors were high levels of blood pressure (6.2%) and obesity (2.1%). Boys were 3.3 times (P < 0.001) more likely to have risk levels of blood pressure. Compared to their peers from lower socioeconomic groups, children from better off socioeconomic strata were 1.5 times (P = 0.048) more likely to be overweight/obese and 1.5 times (P = 0.046) more likely to have abdominal obesity. Overweight and obese children were 4.4 times more likely to have dyslipidemia (P < 0.001). Children living in the rural area were 2.8 times (P = 0.002) more likely to have dyslipidemia than those from the urban area. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the advanced levels of the nutrition transition in this Ecuadorian adolescent population. Primary health care should monitor and take actions to address this public health problem in adolescents.

Eating out of home and its association with dietary intake: a systematic review of the evidence.

During the last decades, eating out of home (OH) has gained importance in the diets worldwide. We document the nutritional characteristics of eating OH and its associations with energy intake, dietary quality and socioeconomic status. We carried out a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies in eight databases up to 10 March 2011. Of the 7,319 studies retrieved, 29 met the inclusion criteria and were analysed in this review. The quality of the data was assessed and a sensitivity analysis was conducted by isolating nationally representative or large cohort data from 6 and 11 countries, respectively. OH foods were important sources of energy in all age groups and their energy contribution increased in adolescents and young adults. Eating OH was associated with a higher total energy intake, energy contribution from fat in the daily diet and higher socioeconomic status. Two large studies showed how eating OH was also associated with a lower intake of micronutrients, particularly vitamin C, Ca and Fe. Although the studies were cross-sectional and heterogeneous in the way they classified eating OH, we conclude that eating OH is a risk factor for higher energy and fat intake and lower micronutrient intake.

Konzo and dietary pattern in cassava-consuming populations of Popokabaka, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Food frequencies and 24h diet recall were registered from 487 randomly selected heads of household in Popokabaka (Bandundu Province, DRC) where the first cases of konzo were reported more than seventy years ago. Konzo is still occurring in this area with a prevalence of 1.4%. High prevalence of konzo was found to be associated with female gender (P = 0.0024), unmarried status (P = 0.030), illiteracy (P = 0.021), farmer as main occupation (P < 0.05) and with consumption of cassava from own farm land (P = 0.045). The diet was largely dominated by cassava. Luku, cassava flour stiff porridge, was consumed at least once during the day in 99.2% of households. A median of 304 g (max. 592 g; min. 120 g) of cassava flour providing 1070 kcal (max. 2085 kcal; min. 422 kcal)/day/person was used to prepare luku. Saka-saka (pounded cassava leaves) (40%), cowpeas (30%), sesame (23.2%), mbondi (Salacia pynaertii) (18.1%), mushrooms (17.7%) and mfumbwa (Gnetum africanum) (11.3%) were consumed as side-dishes with luku. These results showed that major foods consumed are of poor quality in protein, especially in sulphur containing amino acids.

International BMI-for-age references underestimate thinness and overestimate overweight and obesity in Bolivian adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Since no growth standards for adolescents exist and a single reference applicable everywhere is still in debate, it is recognized that the best reference should be derived from the growth pattern of the healthy population that will use it. In 2007 a study developed references for body mass index for 12th to 18th y Bolivian school adolescent (BAP. OBJECTIVES: To compare nutritional status outcomes applying BMI references from the BAP, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 2000, the International Task Force (IOTF), and the 2007 WHO, to determine appropriateness of use in Bolivian adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: References were applied in 3306 adolescents, 45.0% male, 55% female, 12th to 18th y selected from a nationally representative sample. RESULTS: Main findings reveal that the CDC and the 2007 WHO underestimate underweight (p<0.001) and the three international references overestimate overweight (p<0.001) with variation between ages and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Bolivian health providers are advised to replace CDC, OITF and 2007 WHO references for the use of BAP in Bolivia which reflects its healthy adolescent population growth pattern. International references may lead to incorrect conclusions when applied on Bolivian adolescents. They could deflect efforts from population which need prompt intervention and mislead treatments and budget to unnecessary ones. We recommend validation of international references where appropriate until a standard is released.

Anthropometry of height, weight, arm, wrist, abdominal circumference and body mass index, for Bolivian adolescents 12 to 18 years: Bolivian adolescent percentile values from the MESA study.

Anthropometry is important as clinical tool for individual follow-up as well as for planning and health policy-making at population level. Recent references of Bolivian Adolescents are not available. The aim of this cross sectional study was to provide age and sex specific centile values and charts of Body Mass Index, height, weight, arm, wrist and abdominal circumference from Bolivian Adolescents. Data from the MEtabolic Syndrome in Adolescents (MESA) study was used. Thirty-two Bolivian clusters from urban and rural areas were selected randomly considering population proportions, 3445 school going adolescents, 12 to 18 y, 45% males; 55% females underwent anthropometric evaluation by trained personnel using standardized protocols for all interviews and examinations. Weight, height, wrist, arm and abdominal circumference data were collected. Body Mass Index was calculated. Smoothed age- and gender specific 3rd, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th, 90th, 95th and 97th Bolivian adolescent percentiles(BAP) and Charts(BAC) where derived using LMS regression. Percentile-based reference data for the antropometrics of for Bolivian Adolescents are presented for the first time.

Iron supplementation in previously anemic Bolivian children normalized hematologic parameters, but not immunologic parameters.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is considered to be the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency in the world. Estimates indicate that 1.2 billion people suffer mild to severe forms of anemia and that up to 46% of schoolchildren in developing countries are affected. In 2003, ENDSA, the national demographic and health survey of Bolivia showed that 60% of children under five and 72% of children under 2 years old were anemic. Micronutrient deficiency has been suggested to impair cell-mediated immunity. In particular, iron, zinc and vitamin A deficiencies have an impact on the immune system. In vitro and in vivo laboratory studies indicate a link between iron deficiency and impaired T-lymphocyte proliferation. The exact effects or mechanisms of iron deficiency on maturation and proliferation of T-lymphocytes in vivo are, however, not yet known. This study investigated the effects of iron on the maturation of T-lymphocytes in anemic but otherwise healthy schoolchildren (no apparent protein-energy deficiency or other morbidity). Anemic children of a poor peri-urban school of Cochabamba city, Bolivia, were given iron treatment for three consecutive months. We chose to look at CD1a+ lymphocytes, which are immature thymocytes. The proportions of CD1a+ lymphocytes in the peripheral circulation measured at baseline and after treatment were compared with a reference group of age-matched non-anemic children controls from the same school. The immunologic parameters, although improved, did not reach the proportions of the control group. Overall, the proportion of circulating immature T-lymphocytes decreased from 18.3% to 9.2% in the treated following iron supplementation in anemic children, compared with 3.4% in non-anemic children.

Validity of photographs for food portion estimation in a rural West African setting.

OBJECTIVE: To validate food photographs for food portion size estimation of frequently consumed dishes, to be used in a 24-hour recall food consumption study of pregnant women in a rural environment in Burkina Faso. This food intake study is part of an intervention evaluating the efficacy of prenatal micronutrient supplementation on birth outcomes. SUBJECTS: Women of childbearing age (15-45 years). DESIGN: A food photograph album containing four photographs of food portions per food item was compiled for eight selected food items. Subjects were presented two food items each in the morning and two in the afternoon. These foods were weighed to the exact weight of a food depicted in one of the photographs and were in the same receptacles. The next day another fieldworker presented the food photographs to the subjects to test their ability to choose the correct photograph. RESULTS: The correct photograph out of the four proposed was chosen in 55% of 1028 estimations. For each food, proportions of underestimating and overestimating participants were balanced, except for rice and couscous. On a group level, mean differences between served and estimated portion sizes were between -8.4% and 6.3%. Subjects who attended school were almost twice as likely to choose the correct photograph. The portion size served (small vs. largest sizes) had a significant influence on the portion estimation ability. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study indicate that in a West African rural setting, food photographs can be a valuable tool for the quantification of food portion size on group level.

Co-occurrence of fumonisins with aflatoxins in home-stored maize for human consumption in rural villages of Tanzania.

This study determined maize-user practices that influence the presence of fumonisin and aflatoxin contamination of maize in food consumed in the rural areas of Tanzania. Samples of the 2005 maize harvest in Tanzania were collected from 120 households and examined for fumonisins and aflatoxins. Information on whether the maize was sorted to remove defective (visibly damaged or mouldy) maize before storage and whether the damaged and mouldy maize or the non-dehulled maize was used as food was also collected. In addition, the percentage of defective kernels in the samples was determined. Ninety per cent of the households sorted out defective maize, 45% consumed the defective maize and 30% consumed non-dehulled maize. In 52% of the samples fumonisins were determined at levels up to 11,048 microg kg(-1) (median = 363 microg kg(-1)) and in 15% exceeded 1000 microg kg(-1); the maximum tolerable limit (MTL) for fumonisins in maize for human consumption in other countries. Aflatoxins were detected in 18% of the samples at levels up to 158 microg kg(-1) (median = 24 microg kg(-1)). Twelve per cent of the samples exceeded the Tanzanian limit for total aflatoxins (10 microg kg(-1)). Aflatoxins co-occurred with fumonisins in 10% of the samples. The percentage defective kernels (mean = 22%) correlated positively (r = 0.39) with the fumonisin levels. Tanzanians are at a risk of exposure to fumonisins and aflatoxins in maize. There is a need for further research on fumonisin and aflatoxin exposure in Tanzania to develop appropriate control strategies.

Plot and see! Maternal comprehension of growth charts worldwide.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal comprehension of growth charts used in growth monitoring and promotion (GMP), a worldwide programme with important budgets but contrasting results. METHODS: Systematic literature review through MEDLINE, POPLINE, Global Health, ERIC and the Cochrane Library with the keywords 'growth monitoring' or 'growth chart' limited to the title/abstract field and to the 0-5 years age range. RESULTS: Twenty studies from Asia (8), Africa (8) and Latin America/Caribbean (3) were included in the review. The results of the 14 non-intervention, cross-sectional studies provide convincing evidence that a third to three-fourths of carers in developing countries do not understand the growth charts. Literacy had a strong effect on women's ability to interpret the cards. Appropriate training and educational activities also increased substantially maternal comprehension as demonstrated in five of the six intervention trials. CONCLUSIONS: Many carers have poor comprehension of growth charts, but their comprehension increases not only with literacy, but also with training. Activities aimed at improving communication skills of health staff and at empowering parents to practice responsive parenting could greatly improve GMP outcomes.

Food habits and physical activity patterns among Palestinian adolescents: findings from the national study of Palestinian schoolchildren (HBSC-WBG2004).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the food habits and physical (in)activity patterns and to investigate the relationship with sociodemographic factors among Palestinian adolescents. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: The Palestinian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) is a cross-sectional survey of grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. Students completed a modified version of the international HBSC questionnaire. A total of 8885 students were included in this analysis; 53% were from the West Bank and 47% from the Gaza Strip. RESULTS: Adolescents in the West Bank consume more fruit, meat, chicken, sweets and soft drinks, but less vegetables than adolescents in Gaza (P<0.01). Girls reported more daily consumption of fruit, vegetables and sweets than boys (P<0.001), and less consumption of soft drinks, milk, meat and chicken (P<0.01). Boys were physically more active than girls (P<0.01), whereas girls reported doing more homework (P<0.001). Both boys and girls reported less physical activity with increasing age (P<0.001). Consumption of fruit and milk was positively associated with both parents' education, while consumption of meat, chicken and soft drinks was positively associated with mother's education only. Having breakfast on schooldays was positively associated with the father's education. Physical activity and television viewing were associated with the mother's education (P<0.01). The parents' level of education had no effect on vegetable consumption and dieting status. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that there are problems with Palestinian adolescents' eating, dieting and physical activity. Regional, gender and parental socio-economic status differences should be taken into account in developing interventions. More detailed studies are needed with more elaborate instruments about food habits and physical activity of adolescents.

[Development and testing of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for Bolivian adolescents]. / Desarrollo y evaluación de un cuestionario semi-cuantitativo de frecuencias alimenticias para adolescentes bolivianos.

INTRODUCTION: Since previous studies suggest that the dietary patterns and lifestyle in adolescence have an impact in health later in life, it is pertinent to monitor and document their dietary patterns. OBJECTIVE: To develop and test the reliability and validity of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for Bolivian adolescents. SETTING: La Paz, September - October 2004. METHODOLOGY: A convenience sample of 82 students from a secondary participated in the study. A semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire was applied twice with one month interval (Q1 and Q2). A 3 days dietary record (3R) was obtained from 32 of the Students as standard. RESULTS: Most of the questions (87%) reporting intake of each individual food item agreed moderately to substantially while only 2 individual food items fell into the category of slight agreement and 11 into the category of fair agreement using the kappa statistic. Quantities obtained from both applications of the questionnaire yielded similar results (P > 0.05). Nutrient estimates obtained from the Q1 and Q2 and the 3R were not statistically different (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire is apparently reliable and valid for the measurement of absolute food intake in Bolivian adolescents. Care will be taken in the future to prevent overestimation of intake measured by this particular questionnaire.

[A review of the nutritional management plans in the member states of the European Union]. / Een overzicht van de nutritionele beleidsplannen in de lidstaten van de Europese Unie.

Obesity has reached epidemiological proportions in Europe and the burden of diseases attributable to nutrition is substantial. Under the impetus of the World Health Organisation (WHO), member states have been urged to develop national action plans for nutrition and physical activity. This study describes what has been done in terms of nutrition policy at national level in the member states of the European Union right before its enlargement in 2004. It is a critical review of publicly available policy documents on nutrition and physical activity. The background idea was to assist the initiative of the Belgian food industry to play a proactive role in the development of a Belgian nutrition action plan. At the time of writing, in total six out of the fifteen EU member states namely Sweden, Finland, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, reported to have an operational national nutrition plan. By the end of the year 2004, another four countries are expected to have their plan finalised. In line with WHO guidelines, all nutrition plans in this study acknowledge the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and promote stakeholder involvement at some point. Most of the plans however, do not elaborate on their specific role and strategies that will be used to do so. It seems that stakeholder mobilisation is largely restricted to the implementation phases. All operational nutrition plans envisage reducing social disparities. Long-established vulnerable groups in society such as pregnant women, children and elderly are targeted. Considerable variability was observed for nutritional objectives and dietary recommendations between the different countries. Nutrition surveillance and monitoring activities seem to vary considerably between the different action plans. None of the countries except Denmark documents the theoretical foundations and development process of their nutritional surveillance system. National nutrition policy in Europe is clearly in a state of flux and the centre of gravity seems to move away from Scandinavia. Although the importance of nutritional surveillance, comprehensive approach to nutritional problems and stakeholder involvement is recognised by the action plans, the rationale, justification and mechanisms for it is vaguely described. Our findings call for increased efforts to strengthen the evidence base of public health nutrition policy. To achieve this however, systematic evaluations and proper reporting of which health and nutrition promotion strategies work in the different countries in the EU are urgently needed.

Do growth monitoring and promotion programs answer the performance criteria of a screening program? A critical analysis based on a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Growth Monitoring and Promotion programs (GMP) have been intensively promoted to improve children's health in developing countries. It has been hoped that regularly weighing children would result in the early detection of growth falterers, and that the growth chart would serve as an educational tool to make that state apparent to both health workers and caretakers in order to trigger improved caring practices. Our objective was to review whether GMP answers the theoretical grounds of a screening and intervention program. METHOD: A systematic literature review was performed. The WHO framework developed by Wilson and Jungner for planning and evaluating screening programs guided the analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-nine studies were retrieved. Overall, evidence is weak on the performance of GMP as a screening program for malnutrition through early detection of growth falterers. The main results are: (1) malnutrition remains a public health problem, but its importance is context specific; (2) the value of a low weight velocity to predict malnutrition is unknown and likely to vary in different contexts; (3) the performance of GMP for improving nutrition status of children and in reducing mortality and morbidity is unknown; (4) the performance of the screening is affected by the unreliability of weight measurements; (5) the promotional and educational effectiveness of GMP is low, in particular the growth chart is poorly understood by mothers; (6) the acceptability seems low in regards of low attendance rates; (7) evidence is lacking regarding cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is too little scientific evidence to indiscriminately support international promotion of GMP. However GMP could constitute a valid strategy of public nutrition in specific situations. We indicate paths for further research and how prevention programs could be developed.

Pediatric human immunodeficiency virus screening in an African district hospital.

In order to evaluate alternative tests and strategies to simplify pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening at the district hospital level, a cross-sectional exploratory study was organized in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Venous and capillary phlebotomies were performed on 941 Congolese children, aged 1 month to 12 years (153 children under 18 months and 788 children more than 18 months old). The HIV prevalence rate was 4.7%. An algorithm for children more than 18 months old, using serial rapid tests (Determine, InstantScreen, and Uni-Gold) performed on capillary blood stored in EDTA tubes, had a sensitivity of 100.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.9 to 100.0%) and a specificity of 100.0% (95% CI, 99.5 to 100.0%). The results of this study suggest that the ultrasensitive p24 antigen assay may be performed on capillary plasma stored on filter paper (sensitivity and specificity, 100.0%; n=87) instead of venous plasma (sensitivity, 92.3%; specificity, 100.0%; n=150). The use of glucolets (instruments used to perform capillary phlebotomies), instead of syringes and needles, may reduce procedural pain and the risk of needle stick injuries at a comparable cost. Compared to the reference, HIV could have been correctly excluded based on one rapid test for at least 90% of these children. The results of this study point towards underutilized opportunities to simplify phlebotomy and pediatric HIV screening.