title: Stunting and weight statuses of adolescents differ between public and private schools in urban Gambia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the disparity in nutritional status of adolescents between public and private schools in urban Gambia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a school-based cross-sectional study in six private and six public upper basic schools in urban Gambia. This study recruited 491 students from public and 469 students from private schools (13-15 years of age).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of stunting (WHO height-for-age Z < -2SD) was 13.4 % for public school students and 4.5 % for private schools. After adjustment for children's sex, age, and family socioeconomic status, the differences in prevalence of stunting and underweight were significant between public and private schools. Private school students are more likely to be overweight/obese (WHO BMI-for-age Z > +1SD) (OR = 2.85, 95 % CI 1.55-5.22), but less likely to be thin (BMI-for-age Z < -2SD) (OR = 0.61 [0.39-0.96]), compared to public school students. Children from lower income families had lower odds for overweight/obese than normal weight, compared to those from higher income families (OR = 0.34 [0.15-0.76]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public and private schools in urban regions of the Gambia may face different nutritional challenges due to differences in school environment and resources.
authors.affiliation: International Health Program, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Alimatou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Juwara
authors.affiliation: International Health Program, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.|Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: International Health Program, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.|Institute of Clinical and Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Li-Ying
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.affiliation: International Health Program, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. hsinjenchen@ym.edu.tw.|Institute of Public Health, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Medical Building II, R213, Beitou District, Taipei, 112, Taiwan, ROC. hsinjenchen@ym.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Hsin-Jen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005714:Gambia; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012574:Schools; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: Adolescents; Anthropometry; Nutritional status; School children