Dietary patterns and nutritional assessment of working children at Abou El-Dardar industrial area in Alexandria City.
The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate the nutritional status of young working children aged 8 to 18 years, working in workshops at Abou-El-Dardar industrial area in Alexandria Governorate. A total sample of 154 of young male workers were recruited from workshops. The nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric, dietary and biochemical criteria. The results of the study revealed that 45% of the working children were considered malnourished: 16% were wasted, 23% were stunted and 3% were both wasted and stunted and 3% were overweight. Analysis of nutrient intake revealed that the intakes were less than the recommended for energy, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C and niacin, while the intake of protein, iron, thiamin and riboflavin were more than sufficient. About 77% of the young workers were found to have haemoglobin levels below the cut-off levels issued by WHO. A high prevalence of parasitic infection (food-borne) (72%) was found among young workers. The results also revealed that stunting, wasting and stunting together and overweight were more common in young workers who were both anaemic and had evidence of parasitic infection than those who were anaemic only or had parasitic infection only.
el-Sahn
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Nutrition Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University.
D000293:Adolescent; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000453:epidemiology; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D004651:Employment; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D015995:Prevalence; D014505:Urban Population