Burden and contributing factors to overweight and obesity in young adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The prevalence of overweight/obesity in adolescents has increased globally, including in low- and middle-income countries. Early adolescence provides an opportunity to develop and encourage positive health and behavioural practices, yet it is an understudied age group with limited information to guide and inform appropriate interventions. This study aims to determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity in young adolescents, aged between 10 and 14 years attending public schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and to explore the contributing factors.

Father involvement, maternal depression and child nutritional outcomes in Soweto, South Africa.

Father involvement in South Africa is low, despite evidence that it can improve maternal and child health and wellbeing. Within a larger randomised controlled trial, we assessed whether father involvement during and after pregnancy increased birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding through improved maternal mental health. At 6-week postnatal, mothers completed questionnaires on birth, feeding practices, social support, father involvement and postnatal depression.

Coping through a drought: the association between child nutritional status and household food insecurity in the district of iLembe, South Africa.

Objective: To assess and compare the association between household food insecurity and child nutritional status over two time-points taking into consideration the effects of a severe drought.

Design: The study used two cross-sectional household surveys during and after a severe drought, consistent with a natural experiment design.

Setting: The study took place in the district of iLembe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Food Security in the District of iLembe, KwaZulu-Natal: A Comparison of Coping Strategies between Urban and Rural Households.

Food insecurity varies between urban and rural populations, as do their household characteristics and practices. The aim of the study was to compare the behaviours and practices households in rural and urban areas carry out during times of limited food in the district of iLembe, South Africa. Using a cross-sectional study design, household surveys were carried out to collect information on household characteristics, food, and coping strategies.