Lead in umbilical cord blood and associated factors in Casablanca Morocco: A preliminary results.

Background: Lead is the most common toxic metal to which Moroccans are exposed. Given the susceptibility of the fetus to lead, it is crucial to assess prenatal lead exposure. However, in Morocco, no study has assessed prenatal exposure to lead.

Relationship of body mass index to percent body fat determined by deuterium isotopic dilution and impedancemetry among Tunisian schoolchildren.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the relation of body mass index (BMI) to fat mass among children by two techniques impedancemetry and deuterium oxide dilution (DO).

Methods: This study was carried out in 156 schoolchildren aged between 8 and 11 years. The children received interrogation specifying lifestyle and food habits.

Anthropometry-Based Prediction Equation of Body Composition in a Population Aged 12-88 Years.

Background: Direct anthropometric measurements to assess body composition have limited precision and/or specificity.

Objectives: The study aimed to develop a prediction equation based on anthropometric measurements for estimating total body water (TBW) in a healthy population.

Methods: TBW was assessed using the deuterium dilution method in 398 Moroccan participants (235 women and 163 men) aged 11.

Indispensable Amino Acid Digestibility of Moroccan Fava Bean Using the Dual Isotope Method in Healthy Adults.

Background: Assessment of protein quality is necessary to satisfy the nutritional needs of populations across the world. In addition to indispensable amino acid (IAAs) composition, protein digestibility is a major component of IAA bioavailability, playing a crucial role in human health and affecting the linear growth of children.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate IAA digestibility of fava beans, a legume widely consumed in Morocco using the dual-tracer method.

Development and validation of anthropometric predictive equations that estimate the total body water and fat-free mass in Tunisian adults.

Objective: To develop and validate equations that estimate total body water (TBW) and fat-free mass (FFM) in adults using anthropometric measurements.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 178 adults (77 men and 101 women; aged 18-59 years). Participants were distributed by sex and age groups, and then randomly assigned to equal two groups; the development (n = 89) and the validation (n = 89).

Prevalence of iodine deficiency among Moroccan women of reproductive age.

Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) affects nearly 1.9 million people worldwide. Iodine deficiency (ID) remains a public health concern not only for pregnant women, but for women of reproductive age (WRA) as well.

Development of bioelectrical impedance-based equations for the prediction of body composition of Malawian adolescents aged 10-18 years: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The accuracy of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) depends on population-specific prediction equations and there is no population-specific equation for predicting fat-free mass (FFM) in Malawian adolescents. This study aimed at determining the agreement between FFM measured by deuterium oxide dilution technique (the reference) and FFM by BIA; and propose BIA-based prediction equations to estimate FFM for Malawian adolescents.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Tea Consumption Reduces Iron Bioavailability from NaFeEDTA in Nonanemic Women and Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia: Stable Iron Isotope Studies in Morocco.

Background: Available data suggest that polyphenols from tea can inhibit iron absorption from ferric sodium EDTA (NaFeEDTA), but previous studies were done in small groups of mostly nonanemic adults. Morocco recently introduced national wheat flour fortification with NaFeEDTA, but tea is the national beverage and is consumed with most meals.

Objectives: Our objective was to quantify bioavailability of iron from NaFeEDTA when added to a wheat flour-based meal in both nonanemic women and women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), when consumed with and without traditional Moroccan green tea.

Comparison of appropriateness of Nutri-Score and other front-of-pack nutrition labels across a group of Moroccan consumers: awareness, understanding and food choices.

Background: The front of pack nutrition label Nutri-Score, intended to help consumers orient their choices towards foods that are more favorable to health, was developed in France and applied in several European countries. Consideration is underway for its use in Morocco. This study aims to assess Moroccan consumers' perception and objective understanding of Nutri-Score and 4 other nutritional information labels (Health Star Rating, Health warning, Reference Intakes and Multiple Trafic Light) and their impact on purchase intentions.

Effects of Breastfeeding on Maternal Body Composition in Moroccan Lactating Women during Twelve Months after Birth Using Stable Isotopic Dilution Technique.

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of an infant's life is an important factor for their optimal growth and health. Breastfeeding also has maternal benefits and can assist with postpartum weight loss. As shown by previous studies, postpartum weight retention can contribute to obesity.

Relevance of body mass index and bioelectrical impedance analysis vs. deuterium dilution technique to assess excess of fat among young adults.

Our study aimed to assess the nutritional status by using body composition among young Tunisian adults through three measurement methods: body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and deuterium oxide dilution technique (HO) and to determine the accuracy of BMI and BIA in order to evaluate the overweight and obesity among young adults in Tunisia. Our study involved 144 young adults. Anthropometric parameters were measured.

Is exclusive breastfeeding an option or a necessity in Africa? A pooled study using the deuterium oxide dose-to-mother technique.

Given the valuable health, development, and economic benefits of human milk Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended by the World Health Organisation for the first six months of an infant's life. Many resource-limited regions in Africa do not line-up with these recommendations, therefore EBF promotion efforts on the continent need to be scaled up and monitored. This study explores the human milk intake volumes of 5 countries (Benin, Central African Republic, Morocco, South Africa and Tanzania) both at country level and in a pooled sample of children at 3 months (n= 355) and at 6 months (n=193).

Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time among Children and Adolescents in Morocco: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescent plays an important role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular health diseases, diabetes, and obesity in adulthood. However, little is known about physical activity levels (PA) and sedentary time among children and adolescents in Morocco.

Objective: To examine gender, type of day, and age grade differences in objectively measured sedentary time, physical activity levels, and physical activity guideline attainment among children and adolescents in Morocco.

Assessment of Sodium and Potassium Intakes in Children Aged 6 to 18 Years by 24 h Urinary Excretion in City of Rabat, Morocco.

Background: The incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has greatly increased, mainly due to high level of dietary sodium. Thus, reduction of sodium intake in population has been recognized as one of the most cost-effective strategies to reduce NCDs. The aim of this study was to estimate sodium and potassium consumption in a sample of Moroccan children as a baseline study to implement national strategy for salt intake reduction.

Dietary Calcium Intake in Sample of School Age Children in City of Rabat, Morocco.

Calcium is an important mineral playing a vital role to maintain bone health. Calcium intake is considered as one of the most important determinants to assess the calcium status and to evaluate the calcium deficiency in the human body. Our study aims at estimating calcium intake in a sample of children and adolescent to be used in the global strategy to reduce calcium deficiency disorders in Morocco.

Development and validation of impedance-based equations for the prediction of total body water and fat-free mass in children aged 8-11 years.

Background/objectives: Accuracy of impedance analysis depends on population-specific prediction equations. The aim of this study was to propose new prediction equations to estimate body composition using impedance analysis for healthy Tunisian children and validate them using the deuterium oxide dilution (DO) technique.

Subjects/methods: Body composition was estimated by the Tanita impedance analyzer.

Development and validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis equations for prediction total body water and fat-free mass using DO technique in Moroccan children aged between 8 and 11 years old.

Background/objectives: Estimating body composition using bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) requires specific prediction equations. The purpose of our study was to examine the validity of published BIA equations for assessing total body water (TBW) and fat-free mass (FFM) using deuterium oxide dilution (DO) as a reference method and to develop new FFM and TBW BIA equations if needed for Moroccan pre-pubertal children.

Subjects/methods: Data were collected from 247 schoolchildren aged 8-11 years old.

Low plasma vitamin A concentration is associated with tuberculosis in Moroccan population: a preliminary case control study.

Background: Vitamin A plays numerous roles in immune system. Its deficiency alters both the innate and adaptive immunity. Previous results reported that the micronutrients deficiency, particularly vitamin A, is observed in patients with tuberculosis.

Fortified Iodine Milk Improves Iodine Status and Cognitive Abilities in Schoolchildren Aged 7-9 Years Living in a Rural Mountainous Area of Morocco.

Iodine is required for the production of the thyroid hormones essential for the growth and development of the brain. All forms of iodine deficiency (ID) affect the mental development of the child. Our study aims to assess the impact of ID on the intellectual development of Moroccan schoolchildren and to evaluate the effect of consumption of fortified milk on reducing ID.

Efficacy of Multiple Micronutrients Fortified Milk Consumption on Iron Nutritional Status in Moroccan Schoolchildren.

Iron deficiency constitutes a major public health problem in Morocco, mainly among women and children. The aim of our paper is to assess the efficacy of consumption of multiple micronutrients (MMN) fortified milk on iron status of Moroccan schoolchildren living in rural region. Children (N = 195), aged 7 to 9 y, were recruited from schools and divided into two groups: the nonfortified group (NFG) received daily a nonfortified Ultra-High-Temperature (UHT) milk and the fortified group received (FG) daily UHT milk fortified with multiple micronutrients including iron sulfate.

Comparison of a fluorometric assay kit with high-performance liquid chromatography for the assessment of serum retinol concentration.

Background: Although high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the commonly used method for the analysis of retinol in biological samples, simple and rapid test kits are available.

Objectives: This study compared a rapid test kit (ICHECK Fluoro®) to HPLC for the assessment of serum retinol concentrations.

Methods: For the analysis by HPLC, sample preparation included standard deproteinization and extraction phases.

Physical activity and dietary habits among Moroccan adolescents.

Objective: The study aimed to detail the lifestyle (physical activity and dietary habits) of Moroccan adolescents.

Design: Cross-sectional study undertaken in the framework of the ATLS (Arab Teens Lifestyle Study).

Setting: Physical activity and dietary habits were determined using a validated questionnaire in public secondary schools.

Prevalence of elevated blood pressure and its relationship with fat mass, body mass index and waist circumference among a group of Moroccan overweight adolescents.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among a group of adolescents and to assess the relationship of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) with body fat mass (BFM), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). A total of 167 subjects aged 11-17 years were recruited, 29.3% and 12.

Argan oil and postmenopausal Moroccan women: impact on the vitamin E profile.

Vitamin E supplements could be beneficial for postmenopausal women. To evaluate the effect of edible argan oil consumption on the antioxidant status of postmenopausal women, the vitamin E serum level of 151 menopausal women consuming either olive or argan oil was determined. Serum level of vitamin E was increased in the argan oil consumer group.

Body mass index, waist circumference, body fat, fasting blood glucose in a sample of moroccan adolescents aged 11-17 years.

Objectives. The study aimed to assess the relationship between body fat and each of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), and to test the effectiveness of fat mass (FM), percent of body fat (PBF), BMI, and WC in predicting high levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG). Methods.