Memon Aisha, Laghari Zulfiqar Ali, Samo Ayaz Ali
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
PLoS One. 2025 Apr 23;20(4):e0318055. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318055. eCollection 2025.
Stunting and thinness are significant public health concerns for developing countries, including Pakistan. Previously conducted studies in Tharparkar have focused on stunting, and thinness, in children, and micronutrient deficiency, However, there was a paucity of literature on prevalence rates and risk factors associated with stunting and thinness among adolescents in Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan. This study aimed to assess the demographic and dietary factors related to the prevalence of stunting and thinness among adolescents in Tharparkar. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to August 2022. Most populated Union councils of all sub-districts of Tharparkar district were selected for sampling. A multi-stage clustering sampling strategy was used. Healthy adolescents with ages≥10 to ≤19 years were included in the study. Anthropometry was performed using standard methods. Stunting and thinness were defined as per WHO criteria. Dietary assessments were conducted on a weekly recall basis. Mean Frequency and chi-square were computed using SPSS software. The overall mean age of the study participants was 14.11±2.43 years, and the mean weight was 36.842±8.83 kgs. The mean height of the study participants was 149.0151±11.27 centimeters. The mean height for age z score was -1.3094±1.17. The mean body mass index for age z score was -1.5473±1.27. Among 599 participants the overall prevalence of stunting and thinness was 26.7% and 35% respectively. Risk factors such as late adolescence (χ2=10.55 p=0.005), illiteracy, and less education (χ2=8.41 p=0.03), the rural area (χ2=3.92 p=0.04) significantly associated with an increased prevalence of stunting. The risk factors such as male (χ2=13.11 p<0.0001), infrequent consumption of eggs (χ2=5.2 p=0.02), and infrequent consumption of fresh vegetables (χ2=5.2 p=0.02) were associated with an increased prevalence of thinness. This study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive nutritional programs that could focus on vulnerable demographic groups. Interventions should focus on improving dietary intake.
发育迟缓与消瘦是包括巴基斯坦在内的发展中国家面临的重大公共卫生问题。此前在塔帕卡尔开展的研究主要聚焦于儿童的发育迟缓和消瘦以及微量营养素缺乏。然而,关于巴基斯坦信德省塔帕卡尔青少年发育迟缓和消瘦的患病率及相关风险因素的文献却很匮乏。本研究旨在评估与塔帕卡尔青少年发育迟缓和消瘦患病率相关的人口统计学和饮食因素。2022年6月至2022年8月开展了一项基于社区的横断面研究。选取了塔帕卡尔区所有分区中人口最多的联合委员会进行抽样。采用了多阶段整群抽样策略。年龄≥10岁至≤19岁的健康青少年被纳入研究。使用标准方法进行人体测量。发育迟缓和消瘦根据世界卫生组织标准定义。饮食评估基于每周回忆法进行。使用SPSS软件计算均值、频率和卡方值。研究参与者的总体平均年龄为14.11±2.43岁,平均体重为36.842±8.83千克。研究参与者的平均身高为149.0151±11.27厘米。年龄别身高Z评分的均值为-1.3094±1.17。年龄别体重指数Z评分的均值为-1.5473±1.27。在599名参与者中,发育迟缓和消瘦的总体患病率分别为26.7%和35%。诸如青春期晚期(χ2=10.55,p=0.005)、文盲和受教育程度低(χ2=8.41,p=0.03)、农村地区(χ2=3.92,p=0.04)等风险因素与发育迟缓患病率增加显著相关。诸如男性(χ2=13.11,p<0.0001)、不常食用鸡蛋(χ2=5.2,p=0.02)和不常食用新鲜蔬菜(χ2=5.2,p=0.02)等风险因素与消瘦患病率增加相关。本研究强调迫切需要实施能够关注弱势群体的综合营养项目。干预措施应侧重于改善饮食摄入。