Les carences nutritionnelles dans les PVD

Les caractéristiques anthropométriques (poids, taille) de 373 enfants congolais d'âge préscolaire issus de milieux favorisés de Brazzaville ont été relevées. La distribution des critères anthropométriques est très voisine de celle de la population de référence NCHS qu'il s'agisse du poids ou de la taille en fonction de l'âge. Les retards de taille et les maigreurs sont des phénomènes peu fréquents et d'apparition brève contrairement à ce qui est observé dans d'autres échantillons représentatifs de populations urbaines et rurales. Ainsi, les différences ethniques ou raciales s'avèrent négligeables par rapport à celles liées à l'environnement. (Résumé d'auteur

Enquête nationale sur l'état nutritionnel des enfants d'âge préscolaire au Congo

Une enquête nutritionnelle nationale a été réalisée au Congo en milieu rural en 1987 sur un échantillon représentatif des enfants de moins de cinq ans. Dans une perspective de surveillance nutritionnelle, son objectif principal était de fournir des données de base pour l'orientation et l'évaluation ultérieure d'impact du programme national d'éducation nutritionnelle et de surveillance de la croissance (NUTED). Les résultats essentiels portent ainsi sur : l'estimation de l'état nutritionnel mesuré par des indices anthropométriques standardisés; le type, l'ampleur et la distribution des malnutritions; la recherche de facteurs associés aux malnutritions en vue d'une identification des groupes et zones à risque. D'autres données sont également présentées dans les domaines d'intervention de NUTED : modes alimentaires et conduite du sevrage; diarrhées et réhydratation par voie orale; surveillance de la croissance. Sur la base des résultats obtenus des recommandations sont formulées. (Résumé d'auteur

Free Trade Agreements and World Obesity

We study the causal link between trade openness via free trade agreements and obesity rates. We apply a difference-in-differences approach and exploit the year a country entered a free trade agreement with the United States during the period 1990 to 2016. We find statistically and economically significant results and show that our findings are robust to placebo tests, the use of synthetic control methods, and mechanically maximizing the sample. Additionally, we show that when using event studies the equal trends assumption holds

Developing national obesity policy in middle-income countries: a case study from North Africa

Background The prevalence of overweight and obesity is a rapidly growing threat to public health in both Morocco and Tunisia, where it is reaching similar proportions to high-income countries. Despite this, a national strategy for obesity does not exist in either country. The aim of this study was to explore the views of key stakeholders towards a range of policies to prevent obesity, and thus guide policy makers in their decision making on a national level. Methods Using Multicriteria Mapping, data were gathered from 82 stakeholders (from 33 categories in Morocco and 36 in Tunisia) who appraised 12 obesity policy options by reference to criteria of their own choosing. Results The feasibility of policies in practical or political terms and their cost were perceived as more important than how effective they would be in reducing obesity. There was most consensus and preference for options targeting individuals through health education, compared with options that aimed at changing the environment, i.e. modifying food supply and demand (providing healthier menus/changing food composition/food sold in schools); controlling information (advertising controls/mandatory labelling) or improving access to physical activity. In Tunisia, there was almost universal consensus that at least some environmental-level options are required, but in Morocco, participants highlighted the need to raise awareness within the population and policy makers that obesity is a public health problem, accompanied by improving literacy before such measures would be accepted. Conclusion Whilst there is broad interest in a range of policy options, those measures targeting behaviour change through education were most valued. The different socioeconomic, political and cultural contexts of countries need to be accounted for when prioritizing obesity policy. Obesity was not recognized as a major public health priority; therefore, convincing policy makers about the need to prioritize action to prevent obesity, particularly in Morocco, will be a crucial first step

Bringing Together Viewpoints of Mothers and Health Workers to Enhance Monitoring and Promotion of Growth and Development of Children: A Case Study from the Republic of Congo

In 1996, the Government of the Republic of Congo launched a pilot project to improve the child growth and development component of primary healthcare. The present study was carried out (i) to explore perceptions and practices of mothers and health workers regarding child growth, health, and development, and (ii) to design culturally-appropriate tools to enhance their monitoring and promotion. The study was carried out in two randomly-selected health centres in Brazzaville. Qualitative data collected included 16 focus-group discussions with 174 mothers, two focus-group discussions with 18 health workers, and 20 individual interviews with paediatricians or psychologists. The health workers reported that the main indicator of child growth was weight, while the mothers used broader concepts for evaluating growth and development of their toddlers. A strategy encompassing anthropometrics, developmental milestones, and acquisition of social skills was elaborated to enhance communication between health workers and mothers. A new growth chart was designed, and a new calendar of systematic visits, including key tasks and messages, was established. However, these new tools derived from the formative research still need to be carefully tested

Global warming: is weight loss a solution?

The current climate change has been most likely caused by the increased greenhouse gas emissions. We have looked at the major greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), and estimated the reduction in the CO2 emissions that would occur with the theoretical global weight loss. The calculations were based on our previous weight loss study, investigating the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on body weight, body composition and resting metabolic rate of obese volunteers with type 2 diabetes. At 6 months we observed decreases in weight, fat mass, fat free mass and CO2 production. We estimated that a 10 kg weight loss of all obese and overweight people would result in a decrease of 49.560 Mt of CO2 per year, which would equal to 0.2 % of the CO2 emitted globally in 2007. This reduction could help meet the CO2 emission reduction targets and unquestionably would be of a great benefit to the global health