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academies
September 15-16, 2017 | Dallas, USA
International Conference on
VITAMINS, NUTRIGENOMICS & MALNUTRITION
Insights Nutr Metab 2017
Volume 1 Issue 1
Background:
Malnutrition in terms of over nutrition and undernutrition,
especially deficiencies in key neglected minerals is still a serious public
health issue in Cameroon. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence
of various forms of malnutrition among women of childbearing age so as to
propose interventional strategies.
Method:
This was a cross sectional study during which women aged 14-49
years were randomly selected from the political capital city of the country
(Yaounde), the littoral, the western, north-west and north regions of the
country. Anthropometric, socio-demographic parameters and data on
dietary habits were collected. Blood samples were also collected for the
analysis of plasma level calcium, magnesium and iron.
Results:
The sample consisted of 608 women of childbearing age with
average age of 34.68 ± 0.39 years. The evaluation of the prevalence of
the various forms of malnutrition revealed that, underweight was 2.1%,
overweight 29.9%, obesity 37.3%, iron, magnesium and calcium deficiencies
were 11.5%, 22.4% and 48.3% respectively. All the forms of malnutrition
increased with age with the 31-40 and 41-49 years age groups recording the
highest rates. The northwest and the western regions presented the highest
prevalence of all the forms of malnutrition. Higher prevalence of Mg (25.8%)
and Ca (22.3%) deficiencies were associated to women with no educational
level. Overweight (26.2%) and obesity (27.4%) were highest among those
with a primary level and Fe deficiency (27.6%) among those with a first
cycle level of education. With respect to the profession and marital status,
housewives and married women presented the highest numbers of Ca
deficiency. The low intakes of most food groups (pulses and beans; milk
and dairy products; vegetables; fruits) were associated to higher rates of all
the forms of malnutrition especially Ca deficiency. Plasma Ca concentration
was strongly correlated to the frequent intake of traditional diets in a week
(r=0.129, p=0.008).
Conclusion:
All the forms of malnutrition were present in the study
population but Ca deficiency was the most prevalent form. Therefore
strategies aiming at reducing the rates of Ca and Mg deficiencies such as
bio-fortification, reduction of anti-nutrients in potential food sources,
dietary diversification, nutritional education are warranted; especially
among women of childbearing in Cameroon so as to prevent their future
probable exposure to non-communicable diseases such as osteoporosis
caused by such deficiencies.
Mineral deficiencyandundernutritionarekeys clinical hallmark toelaborateappropriate interventional
strategies in rural area: A Cameroonian study on women of childbearing age
M’bobda Momdjo Christelle
1
, Djiokeng Paka Ghislain
1,2
, Azantsa Kingue Gabin Boris
3
, Tchuente Tonou Boris Ronald
1
, Nguedjo Wandji Maxwell
1
, Ngondi
Judith Laure
1
and
Oben Enyong Julius
1
1
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, the University of Yaounde I, Cameroon,
2
Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Institut Armand Frappier, Laval, Canada
3
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Cameroon