@article{jfnr2016445,
author={{Hassan, Enayat Mahmoud and Hashad, Laila Ashour Khalifa and Hassan, Magda Ibrahim},
title={Nutritional Status of School Children in Tripoli City, Libya 2012},
journal={Journal of Food and Nutrition Research},
volume={4},
number={4},
pages={223--229},
year={2016},
url={http://pubs.sciepub.com/jfnr/4/4/5},
issn={2333-1240},
abstract={This investigation aimed to assess the nutritional status &amp; the prevalence of obesity among school children in Tripoli, Libya. 94 children were chosen randomly from primary private schools in central Tripoli. A structured questionnaire was done, then administered to mothers to get demographic data. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), and Body Fat Percentile (BFP)). Each mother was asked to complete 24 hour recall on three days for every child.<i> Blood biochemical parameters of children (hemoglobin, minerals &amp; vitamins) were estimated. </i>About 90% of children took over their requirements of fat and carbohydrates. Most of the children did not get their requirements from vitamin D according to 24 h recall. One third of children were stunted (H/A average 133.78cm). About 50% of children were over-weighted or obese according to anthropometric measurement. The values of serum hemoglobin, and vitamin B<SUB>12</SUB> levels were normal in all children. On the contrary, 66% of school students had low concentrations (&lt;10 ng/ml) of vitamin D. Fat intake of the majority of children (90.4%) was high. However, 78.8% of them consumed potato chips (p= 0.027). More than half of obese children (21.3%) got daily expenses of two LYD or more (p= 0.05) (relationship between pocket money and BMI). A positive correlation (r = 0.222; P &lt; 0.005) was noted between pocket money and body fat percentile. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.332; P &lt; 0.001) was observed between body fat percentile and arm circumference. This study found a prevalence of over-weight, obesity, stunting and deficiency of vitamin D among primary school children in Tripoli, Libya. Similar studies are needed to do in the future in different areas in Libya.},
doi={10.12691/jfnr-4-4-5}
publisher={Science and Education Publishing}
}