Body Mass Index and Body Weight Perception among a Population of Female Adolescents

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is associated with many physical changes, it is described as a period when body weight changes and is likely to become worrying for many adolescents. AIM: This study aims to evaluate associations between body weight perception and body mass index (BMI) among a population of female adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted from February to May 2017 among 12–19 years olds adolescents (n = 415) from high and middle school. BMI for age percentiles was calculated using the WHO AnthroPlus. Body weight perception was determined using an anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of misconception of body weight was 60%. The prevalence of misconception was positively associated with the participants age (p < 0.001), the occurrence of menarche (p < 0.05), the increasing of BMI (p < 0.001), and with habits diet satisfaction (p < 0.05). Overweighed participants and who’s with normal weight were more likely to perceive their weight incorrectly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, approximately 2.9% of participants underestimated their true body weight and 57.1% overestimated their weight. However, all participants with underweight had correctly perceived their body weight. Logistic regression showed that predictor factors of misconception weight were participant’s age and BMI. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to improve healthy programs in schools aimed at preventing body weight perception and eating problems among adolescents

A qualitative investigation into the HIV disclosure process within an intimate partnership: ‘the moment I realized that our relationship was developing into something serious, I just had to tell him’

Objectives. This study sought to elucidate the process through which people living with HIV (PLWH) in the United Kingdom disclose their status to an intimate partner (IP). Design. A qualitative cross-sectional survey design was used. Method. A total of 95 PLWH took part. They were presented with a series of open-ended questions enquiring into their last experience of disclosing to an IP. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results. Disclosure became a salient issue when the discloser acknowledged their relationship as meaningful. A decision to tell was mostly made in order to build a foundation for the evolving relationship. Once the decision was made, it was enacted via one of two mechanisms (self-initiated or opportunistic) and partners’ reported reactions fell within one of four main reaction types. In the long-term for couples that remained together, disclosure was understood to have brought them closer. However, for both those whose relationships remained intact, and for those whose relationship had since broken down, sexual difficulties associated with being in a sero-discordant partnership pervaded. At a personal level, the experience resulted in increased confidence in living the diagnosis, and an increased sense of disclosure mastery. Conclusions: Disclosure is a highly nuanced process. In particular, it was found to be largely characterized by the IP relational context in which it was occurring. The clinical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed. In particular, these findings highlight a need for the provision of long-term support to PLWH in negotiating their relationships throughout the process

Croissance des enfants de la ville de Marrakech (Maroc) : analyse comparative avec des enfants espagnols

GROWTH OF CHILDREN FROM MARRAKECH (MOROCCO) : COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH SPANISH CHILDREN Summary. — In 1987, 1243 children from 7 to 18 years old living in poor areas of Marrakech have been measured. Their growth was analysed and compared with that of Spanish children of the same age. The comparison shows a delay in process of moroccan's growth. This delay may be attributed to unfavourable environmental conditions.Résumé. — En 1987, nous avons mesuré un échantillon de 1243 enfants âgés de 7 à 18 ans provenant des zones défavorisées de la ville de Marrakech. Leur croissance est analysée puis comparée à celle d'enfants espagnols de même âge. La comparaison indique un certain retard dans la croissance des enfants de Marrakech. Ce retard peut être attribué, pour partie, aux conditions environnementales défavorables des enfants marocains.Loukid Mohamed, Montero Pilar. Croissance des enfants de la ville de Marrakech (Maroc) : analyse comparative avec des enfants espagnols. In: Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'anthropologie de Paris, Nouvelle Série. Tome 3 fascicule 3-4, 1991. pp. 211-224

Croissance et statut socio-économique d'enfants scolarisés au Maroc (Marrakech)

Montero Pilar, Loukid Mohamed. Croissance et statut socio-économique d'enfants scolarisés au Maroc (Marrakech). In: Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'anthropologie de Paris, Nouvelle Série. Tome 4 fascicule 3-4, 1992. pp. 265-268

Âge d'apparition des premières règles à Marrakech (Maroc)

AGE AT MENARCHE IN MARRAKECH (Morocco) Summary. — The median age at menarche observed by statu-quo method in 1987 and calculated by probits analysis from a sample of 260 schoolgirls living in suburban area of Marrakech was 14.12 ± 0.13 years. This result is compared with similar data obtained in arabian country.Résumé. — L'âge médian des premières règles de 260 filles appartenant au milieu suburbain de Marrakech (Maroc) obtenu par la méthode du statu-quo et calculé par la méthode des probits est de 14,12 ± 0,13 an. Ce résultat est proche de celui trouvé chez des filles de milieux socio-économiques pauvres du monde arabe.Loukid Mohamed, Boetsch Gilles. Âge d'apparition des premières règles à Marrakech (Maroc). In: Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'anthropologie de Paris, Nouvelle Série. Tome 1 fascicule 1-2, 1989. pp. 59-62

Socio-economic and cultural determinants of mothers and fathers for low birth weight newborns in the region of Marrakech (Morocco): A case-control study

Background Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a birth weight less than 2500 g. It is an important predictor of early neonatal mortality, morbidity, and long-term health outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for low birth weight in Marrakech Morocco. Methods A retrospective based case-control study was conducted from July 2018 to July 2019. 462 mother infant pairs (231 low birth weight babies as cases and 231 normal birth weights as controls) were included in the study. Data were collected through face to face interview using a structured and pretested questionnaire. The collected data were managed with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with low birth weight at p-value &lt; 0.05 with their respective odds ratios and 95% confidence interval. Results The univariate analysis revealed the effect of the following determinants on the LBW: rural residence, father’s age, father’s professional activity, consanguinity, family type, mother’s low educational level, and mother’s intense physical activity. After the multivariate analysis, the risk factors identified were: rural residence (P = 0.017), father’s professional activity (temporarily working) (P = 0.000), absence of the consanguinity link (P = 0.016), and mother’s intense physical activity (P = 0.014). Conclusion Results show father’s professional activity (temporarily working), rural residence, absence of the consanguinity link and mother’s intense physical activity are independent predictors of low birth weight. The current findings add substantially to the growing literature on the influence of parent’s socio-demographic and cultural factors on LBW in resource-constrained settings and provide empirical data for public health interventions to reduce low birth weight. </jats:sec

Maternal Obesity: Can Raising Awareness on Related Risks Improve the Pregnancy Outcomes? A Longitudinal Study among Moroccan Pregnant Women

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of raising awareness of obesity-related complications through a brochure among pregnant women with obesity and overweight to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and improve maternal and fetal health. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted from November 2021 to November 2023 at three health centers in Marrakech, Morocco. A total of 100 women with obesity and overweight were followed up throughout their 9 months of pregnancy. They were divided randomly into two groups: an intervention group (50 participants) that received advice from the brochure and a control group (50 participants). The brochure provided guidance on gestational weight gain, maternal obesity risks and six tips for healthy pregnancy. The gestational weight gain (GWG) and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated in every trimester. Results: The intervention group showed a reduction in GWG compared with the control group; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.075). Regarding lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy, no significant differences were observed between the two groups, except for snacking and the number of meals, both of which showed a statistically significant increase in the control group during the third trimester (p < 0.05). The pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were comparable in both groups, and the intervention had no major impact on these outcomes. Conclusion: This interventional study aimed to raise awareness about the risks of maternal obesity through a brochure that helped women control their weight during pregnancy. However, it did not significantly affect pregnancy outcomes or lifestyle behaviors such as dietary habits and physical activity

Evidence for a downward secular trend in age of menarche in a rural Gambian population.

Menarcheal age is a key indicator of female maturity and development. Studies in many countries have reported a downward secular trend in age of menarche over the past century. This study presents data gained using the 'status quo' method and interval regression to estimate median menarcheal age of girls in a rural Gambian community. Cross-sectional studies carried out in 1989, 2000 and 2008 revealed a median menarcheal age of 16.06 (95% CI 15.67-16.45), 15.03 (95% CI 14.76-15.30) and 14.90 (95% CI 14.52-15.28), respectively. The average rate of decline of median age of menarche was amongst the most rapid yet reported, at 0.65 years of age per decade (p < 0.00001). There was no evidence for a change in the rate of decline over the two decades studied. These results probably reflect ongoing socio-economic development within the region