| dc.description.abstract | Background: Adolescence is a critical period of growth and development marked by increased nutritional requirements. In Tanzania, adolescents comprise 20% of the population. Adolescents are vulnerable to becoming overweight due to their lifestyle choices. In addition, iron deficiency due to increased demands during adolescence can lead to anaemia, especially in girls. Malnutrition can have harmful effects on the health of adolescents both in the short-term and long-term, including compromised brain growth and reduced functional capacity, as well as an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as they grow older. Despite this, there is a paucity of information on the factors contributing to the co-existence of overweight and anaemia in adolescents in Dar es Salaam and many nutritional interventions are targeting under-five and maternal nutrition leaving out this susceptible group.
Aim: To determine the prevalence and associated factors for co-existing anaemia and overweight/obesity among adolescents in Dar es Salaam.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study of adolescents aged 12-19 was conducted through a household survey in Dar es Salaam city. A multistage cluster sampling was used to obtain a representative sample of 507 adolescents. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire through an Open Data Kit (ODK), while anthropometric measurements were measured using a digital weighing scale and stadiometer. Hemocue machines were utilized to measure anaemia through capillary blood samples. Data was exported to Stata version 18 for analysis and cleaning. Descriptive statistics using frequencies and Pearson Chi-square tests were used to characterize the double burden of overweight and anaemia, while modified Poisson regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with anaemia and overweight/obesity.
Results: Among the included adolescent participants, 233 (46%) were males and 274 (54%) were females. The mean age of participants was 15.2 (SD±2.0). Overweight affected 16 % (23% girls vs 8% boys p=0.00) and anaemia 39% of all adolescents (45% girls vs 33% boys p=0.007). After controlling for other explanatory variables, increased age was associated with a higher risk of being overweight (APR=1.17, 95% CI;1.02,1.26 p=0.049). Additionally, girls had a higher risk of being overweight (APR=2.76, 95% CI; 1.63, 4.70, p=0.000). Conversely, frequent presence of vegetables at home was associated with a 43% lower risk of being overweight (APR=0.57, 95% CI; 0.36, 0.91, p=0.019). For anaemia, the use of an unimproved toilet facility (pit latrine) was associated with a 55% higher risk of having anaemia (APR=1.55, 95% CI; 1.22, 1.97, p=0.000) while the frequent presence of fruits/vegetables in the neighbourhood was associated with a 24% reduced risk of having anaemia (APR= 0.76, 95% CI; 0.60, 0.98, p=0.031).
Conclusion: Older adolescents and girls were more at risk of being overweight, while those using unimproved toilet facilities had higher anaemia risk. Furthermore, having vegetables at home is associated with a lower overweight risk, while neighbourhood access to fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk for anaemia. | |
