Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences Vol. 4(1) pp. 1-7, January 2013 Available online http://www.interesjournals.org/JMMS Copyright © 2013 International Research Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Assessment of nutritional status and food consumption in Makepe Missoke, Douala, Cameroon Nicolas P. Nolla1, Marie M. Kana Sop*1, William A. Djeukeu1, E. Tetanye2 and Inocent Gouado 1
University of Douala, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry PO Box 24157 Douala 2 University of Yaoundé I, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Abstract
In Cameroon, malnutrition is associated with the emergence of some chronic diseases. However, there is no information on diet and nutritional status of population in some localities. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status and food consumption of population in Maképè Missokè (Douala). During this study, 89 men and 163 women aged between 18 and 70 years were recruited. Anthropometric measures comprising height or size, weight, waist and arm circumferences were measured respectively using a stadiometer, an ordinary scale and a measuring tape. The body mass index was calculated and the values were used to evaluate nutritional status. Dietary habits and frequency of usual consumption of foods were determined after estimated foods records using local material. The responses were all reported on questionnaire. The determination of serum albumin was performed by spectrophotometry using bromocresol green. The mean body mass index ranged between 2 2 27.4 and 29.1 kg/m in women and between 23.7 and 27.6 kg/m in men. The means waist circumference ranged between 86.4 and 93.5 cm in women, and between 80.9 and 94.8 cm in men. The arm circumference measures ranged between 28 and 31 cm in both sex. In the study population, 10.7 % of men and 29 % of women were overweight, 2.8 % of men and 17 % of women were obese. Consumption of fruits and vegetables was low. The foods eaten were rich in fat and carbohydrates, but low in protein. Nearly 8 % of men and 42 % of women were reached from hypoalbuminemia. The coverage of protein and energy needs with local foods could not meet the recommended nutritional needs and was responsible of major health problems in Maképè Missokè (Douala). Keywords: Food consumption, Nutritional status, Serum albumin, Douala. INTRODUCTION Nutrition plays an important role in the health and development of an individual (UNICEF, 2011). The adequate nutritional needs of an individual ensure tissue renewal, maintaining a good physical and mental health, but also reduce the risk of non communicable diseases related to food (C.D.U, 2009). Dietary intakes not meeting the needs of the body are the cause of malnutrition. Malnutrition is a health problem caused by excessive food intake (overnutrition), inadequate or imbalanced diet does not contain all the nutrients needed for good nutritional status (undernutrition) (FAO, 2003). Overnutrition or obesity is associated with increased blood pressure and hyperinsulinemia, which are
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considered risk factors for developing chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiavascular diseases (Spolidoro et al, 2012). However, marasmus and kwashiorkor resulting from energy or protein undernutrition (C.D.U, 2009). Malnutrition in women and men can result in reduced productivity, slow recovery from illnesses, increased susceptibility to infections, and a heightened risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Women with poor nutritional status has a greater risk of obstructed labor having a baby with a low birth weight, having adverse pregnancy outcomes, producing lower quality breast milk, and illness for herself and her baby (Sumana et al, 2011). Improving nutrition contributes to productivity, economic development, and poverty reduction by improving physical work capacity, cognitive development, school performance, and health by reducing diseases and mortality (Hunt, 2005). Worldwide, at least one billion people are undernouris-
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hed and lack key vitamins and minerals, while at the same time; 1.5 billion people are overweight or obese (WHO, 2011). The estimated diabetes prevalence for 2011 has risen to 366 million, representing 8.5 % of the world’s adult population (Radzevicienè and Ostrauskas, 2012). Although Cameroon has a diversity of food resources sufficient to feed its population, it is not immune to nutritional problems (PAM, 2007). Research work carried by Sobngwi et al. (2002), Kamadjeu et al. (2006) and Kana Sop et al. (2010) in some cities of Cameroon (Yaoundé, Douala, Bamenda, Garoua) showed that, the prevalence of malnutrition was high in population aged 15 to 65 years in these cities. However, there is no information on diet and nutritional status of population in many districts of these cities. A study was therefore conducted to Maképè Missokè (Douala) in order to assess the nutritional status and food consumption of population of this district.
stadiometer. The size and weight were used to determine the body mass index (BMI) according to the formula, 2 2 weight (Kg) divided by the square of height (m ) (Kg/m ). BMI categories were selected in accordance with WHO recommendations. Cut-off-points Once an anthropometric indicator and a reference population have been selected, it is necessary to determine the limits of “normality”. The definition for 2 overweight was taken as BMI ≥ 25 and < 30 kg/m , and 2 obesity as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m . The WC ≥ 80 cm for women and WC ≥ 94 cm for men are considered having a high risk of obesity (android or gymnoid). The critical threshold of arm circumference was 230 mm in men and 220 mm in women. Blood sample collection
MATERIALS AND METHODS Site and study Population The study was conducted in Maképè Missokè, a locality in the city of Douala in Cameroon. The area was unhealthy and almost ignored by the health community, leading its residents or inhabitant to many diseases. During this study, 252 peoples aged between 18 to 70 years, showing no apparent pathology and able to give information on their diets were recruited. They were enrolled after reading and signing the informed consent. The protocol was approved by the National Ethic comity of Cameroon. The food survey The dietary survey was conducted among the population. Through the questionnaire designed for this purpose, the methods of 24-hour recall and dietary history were used to determine dietary habits, the type of food and the usual frequency of consumption of food. The repeated (trice) 24-hour recall helped to collect information on foods eaten daily and to estimate nutrients intakes. Anthropometry The anthropometric parameters measured during the period of the study were the size, weight, waist and arm circumferences of population recruited involved in the study. Weight measurement was performed using an ordinary balance (Soehnle-Waagen, Murrhardt, Germany) with the range 25 to 150 kg and 500 mg accuracy. Subject size was measured using a
Blood samples were collected in dry tubes. Blood tubes were labeled and were placed in a cooler containing ice packs "TempGuard" (-10 to 6 °C), and transported to the laboratory of Biochemistry of the University of Douala. Centrifugation of samples The centrifugation of blood was carried out using a centrifuge (Sigma, Laborzentrifugen, Germany) at a speed of 3600 rev / min for 20 min. The serum (supernatant) was extracted using a micropipette "eppendorf" (1000 µl) and introduced into cryotubes (1.2 ml). The serum obtained was used for determination of serum albumin. Determination of serum albumin The method of Doumas et al., (1972) was used to determine participants the serum albumin levels. Indeed, the preparation of different solutions used for serum albumin (white, standard and sample) was performed as described in the following table 1. The set of solutions of each tube was mixed and incubated for two minutes at 37 ° C and the spectrophotometer (Shimadzu UV-110-02) was used to read the absorbance. The system parameters were: temperature 37 ° C, wavelength 628 nm. The serum albumin was obtained using the following formula: Sample absorbance Serum = x [standard] Albumin Standard absorbance
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Table 1. Preparation of solutions for the serum albumin determination.
Reactive Sample (serum) Standard
White tube 2000 µl -
Standard Tube 2000 µl 10 µl
Sample tube 2000 µl 10 µl -
Table 2. Correlations between anthropometric parameters in both sexes
BMI
Arm circumference
Anthropometric parameters Waist circumference Arm circumference
Correlation coefficient Significance Nomber Correlation coefficient Significance Nomber
M 0.868 0.0001 89 0.722 0.0001 89
F 0.699 0.0001 163 0.598 0.0001 163
M F 0.582 0.517 0.0001 0.0001 89 163 89 163
M = male, F = female
Statistical analyzes Statistical analyzes were performed by SPSS version 16. Student's t test and Pearson correlation were used to compare values of different anthropometric parameters. The test of khi 2 was used to verify the differences in prevalence of overweight by gender. The results were given as mean and differences were considered significant from p
