Weight gain, physical activity and dietary changes during the seven months of first-year university life in Malawi

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess weight gain, physical activity and dietary changes during the first year of university lifein Malawi.Setting: The setting was Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi.Subjects: The subjects were first-year students (n = 47) enrolled for the 2008/2009 academic year.Method: A prospective cohort study was carried out, with repeated measures (November 2008 and June 2009). It included residentialand nonresidential students. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires. Weight, height and mid-upper-armcircumference were measured.Results: There was a significant difference in mean weight gain between female (7.1 ± 3.2 kg, n = 26) and male students (9.6 ± 3.5 kg,n = 21) (p-value = 0.013). Overall, within the first year of university life, the students gained 8.5 ± 3.6 kg (p-value < 0.001), and a modestbut significant height of 0.2 cm (p-value = 0.04). Body mass index (kg/m2) increased from 20.7 ± 3.2 to 23.9 ± 3.2 (p-value < 0.001). Atthe baseline, in general, the students lived sedentary lives, with 6.6 hours spent resting, 2.1 hours engaged in light activities, and 0.9 hoursengaged in heavy activities. No significant changes were observed at the end of the study. Daily consumption of wheat products, meat andmeat products, sugar, milk and milk products and margarine increased, while that of other foods such as fish, and fruits and vegetablesdeclined.Conclusion: Unprecedented freshman weight gain was observed in this study. Transition to university life in Malawi might be the beginningof poor dietary and lifestyle changes. If not restrained, these could elevate the risk of lifestyle diseases in people who have attained tertiaryeducation and who are important to national development

Soil-type influences human selenium status and underlies widespread selenium deficiency risks in Malawi

Selenium (Se) is an essential human micronutrient with critical roles in immune functioning and antioxidant defence. Estimates of dietary Se intakes and status are scarce for Africa although crop surveys indicate deficiency is probably widespread in Malawi. Here we show that Se deficiency is likely endemic in Malawi based on the Se status of adults consuming food from contrasting soil types. These data are consistent with food balance sheets and composition tables revealing that >80% of the Malawi population is at risk of dietary Se inadequacy. Risk of dietary Se inadequacy is >60% in seven other countries in Southern Africa, and 22% across Africa as a whole. Given that most Malawi soils cannot supply sufficient Se to crops for adequate human nutrition, the cost and benefits of interventions to alleviate Se deficiency should be determined; for example, Se-enriched nitrogen fertilisers could be adopted as in Finland