Anthropometric Evaluation of Nutritional Status in Urban Adolescents of Northwestern Morocco.

Objective: This study aims to assess different forms of malnutrition and highlight the relationship between nutritional status and the socio-economic conditions of adolescents at Idris Premier High School in the urban commune of Kenitra in Northwestern Morocco. Methods and Participants: The study was conducted in March ۲۰۲۰, involving ۲۴۳ high school students aged ۱۴ to ۱۹ years. To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire was developed, encompassing socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics such as age, gender, household size, parents' occupations, parents' educational levels, and the student's activities. Nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometric indices, including height-for-age and body mass index (BMI). Statistical significance was set at p<۰.۰۵. Results: The findings indicate that ۱۲.۷۵% of high school students experience stunting, ۳.۷% exhibit thinness, and obesity is infrequent. All three forms of malnutrition are more prevalent in boys than girls and escalate with age (p<۰.۰۵). Only height-for-age demonstrates a positive correlation with academic performance (P=۰.۰۰۷۲). No significant difference was observed between the other forms of malnutrition (weight-for-age and thinness) and the socio-economic conditions of adolescents. Conclusion: According to our study, it appears that socio-economic conditions are not linked to the nutritional status of adolescents. An updated anthropometric assessment of the nutritional status globally and locally in this group of adolescents, in terms of references and data, is crucial to better understand their evolution and precisely target the determinants of malnutrition in adolescents.

کلیدواژه ها:

Adolescents ، Malnutrition ، Anthropometric indices ، Academic performance ، Northwestern Morocco