title: Assessing the silent epidemic of malnutrition in Palestinian preschool children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The nutritional status of children living under conflict is an important issue. The aim of the present study is to review all available data on malnutrition in preschool Palestinian children and provide objective results concerning the epidemic of malnutrition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The literature for all research on the prevalence of malnutrition on Palestinian children with data collected during the period 1998-2007 was reviewed. Der Simonian-Laird Random effects model for meta-analysis was applied and cumulative analyses were performed to determine time-trends for each outcome measure (iron deficiency anemia [IDA], wasting, underweight and stunting).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that 39.5% of the children suffered from IDA, 2.9% from wasting, 4.7% were underweight and 10.9% stunted. The cumulative analyses showed a peak in the prevalence of IDA during 1999, followed by an irregular decrease afterward. The proportion of wasted and underweight children peaked during 2002 and 2004, respectively, both showing a gradual decline afterward. Chronic malnutrition appears to be almost similar during the decade 1998-2007, by demonstrating small, irregular oscillations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the prevalence of malnutrition among Palestinian preschool children has been improved during the studied period, it still remains high. Additionally, the results show that interventions/aid have acute effects on the health of children.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  None.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Alexander Technological Educational Institute, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsigga
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Grammatikopoulou
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018912:Arabs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D019282:Wasting Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Iron deficiency anemia; Malnutrition; Stunting; Underweight; Wasting