title: Assessment of nutritional status in the Amazigh children of Amizmiz (Azgour Valley, High Atlas and Morocco).
abstract: The Berbers of the High Atlas (Amazigh) live in very severe socio-economic and climatic conditions, which expose children to the risk of malnutrition. In this study we used anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis for the assessment of nutritional status. Height, weight and bioelectrical parameters were taken on 71 children (28 boys and 43 girls). Height and BMI were standardized using the 2007 WHO reference. The results show that 36.6% of the children were classified as stunted and 8.5% as wasted. Based on the Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis, children from the High Atlas had an adequate body cell mass, but a high risk of dehydration (42.3%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Biology, Anthropological Science Section, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buffa
authors.forename: Abdellatif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baali
authors.forename: Abdelaziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lahmam
authors.forename: Hakima
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amor
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zouini
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Floris
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Racugno
authors.forename: María G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Domínguez-Bello
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008403:Mass Screening; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors