HIV-associated gut microbial alterations are dependent on host and geographic context.

HIV-associated changes in intestinal microbiota are believed to be important drivers of disease progression. However, the majority of studies have focused on populations in high-income countries rather than in developing regions where HIV burden is greatest. To better understand the impact of HIV on fecal microbiota globally, we compare the fecal microbial community of individuals in the U.

The Association of General and Central Obesity with Dietary Patterns and Socioeconomic Status in Adult Women in Botswana.

Dietary patterns and their association with general and central obesity among adult women were studied using a cross-sectional survey with multistage cluster sampling in urban and rural areas nationwide in Botswana. The participants in the study were adult women ( = 1019), 18-75 years old. The dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis, and their associations with the body mass index and the weight-for-height ratio were examined.

Evaluation of the international standardized 24-h dietary recall methodology (GloboDiet) for potential application in research and surveillance within African settings.

Background: Collection of reliable and comparable individual food consumption data is of primary importance to better understand, control and monitor malnutrition and its related comorbidities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including in Africa. The lack of standardised dietary tools and their related research support infrastructure remains a major obstacle to implement concerted and region-specific research and action plans worldwide. Citing the magnitude and importance of this challenge, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO) launched the "Global Nutrition Surveillance initiative" to pilot test the use of a standardized 24-h dietary recall research tool (GloboDiet), validated in Europe, in other regions.

Perceptions and attitudes towards food choice in adolescents in Gaborone, Botswana.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the factors that influence adolescent and adult perceptions and attitudes related to adolescent diet in Botswana. A series of 15 focus groups [12 adolescent focus groups (6 male and 6 female) & 3 parent focus groups] of approximately six to eleven members each were conducted in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana in 2009-2010. Adolescents and parents of adolescents suggest that the main drivers of adolescent food choices have much to do with where the adolescent is in terms of time of day as well as with whom the adolescent is with.

Adolescent obesity prevention in Botswana: beliefs and recommendations of school personnel.

The study's objectives were to gain school personnel's (1) perceptions on diet, physical activity, body size, and obesity, (2) description of school food and physical activity practices, and (3) recommendations for programs to prevent adolescent obesity. The study took place in six junior secondary schools of varying socioeconomic status in Gaborone, Botswana. Using a qualitative descriptive design, semistructured interviews were conducted with key school personnel.

Socio-economic status and urbanization are linked to snacks and obesity in adolescents in Botswana.

Objective: To describe patterns of food consumption associated with overweight/obesity (OW/OB) and their links to socio-economic status (SES) and urbanization.

Design: A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Secondary schools in cities, towns and villages in Botswana, Africa.

Poor intake of milk, vegetables, and fruit with limited dietary variety by Botswana's elderly.

The aim of this research was to determine dietary intake of elderly Batswana, evaluate the diet quality using the Health Eating Index (HEI), identify factors associated with poor quality, and determine the impact of age on dietary scores. Villages and towns were selected in three strata: urban, semi-urban, and rural. A total of 99 elderly (67% female, 33% males), age range 60-95 years, were recruited through purposive sampling.

Health and dietary patterns of the elderly in Botswana.

Objective: To describe associations among socioeconomic conditions and dietary patterns of Botswana elderly.

Design: Secondary analysis from a cross-sectional nationwide survey.

Participants: Subjects (N = 1086, 60-99 years old) were selected after multistage sampling.