Feeding practices of caregivers with children attending early childhood development centres in Xhariep, South Africa.

Background: In low- to middle-income countries, malnutrition is a major contributing factor in children failing to achieve their developmental potential. The prevention of malnutrition requires, among others, nutritious, diverse and safe foods in early childhood.

Aim: The study aimed to determine primary caregivers' choices and motivation for the foods they fed their children.

Anaemia prevalence and dietary diversity among women in the rural Free State, South Africa.

Background: Anaemia, a global public health problem that particularly affects women, holds major consequences for human health.

Aim: Determining dietary diversity, prevalence of anaemia and contraception use.

Setting: Rural women, 25-49 years, in the Free State Province, South Africa.

Vitamin D status, hypertension and body mass index in an urban black community in Mangaung, South Africa.

Background: A strong relationship exists between hypertension and body weight. Research has linked both higher blood pressure and body weight with lower vitamin D status.

Objective: This study assessed the vitamin D status of a low-income, urban, black community in South Africa, to examine whether serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] are associated with hypertension and body mass index (BMI).

Body mass index of 16-year olds in urban Maseru, Lesotho.

Background: Overweight and/or obesity amongst children and adolescents is a global epidemic with health consequences that track into adulthood. No data are currently available regarding overweight/obesity amongst adolescents in Lesotho.Aim and setting: To assess the prevalence of overweight and/or obesity and the associated risk factors amongst 16-year olds in urban Maseru, Lesotho.

Body adiposity indices are associated with hypertension in a black, urban Free State community.

Background: Non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, are increasing rapidly in resource-poor, developing countries amongst populations transitioning from traditional to westernised lifestyles; and are associated with excess weight.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between hypertension and various indices of body adiposity in a transitioning, urban, black population.

Setting: Three hundred and thirty-nine adults (25-64 years) from a larger cross-sectional study (Assuring Health for All in the Free State) conducted in Mangaung, South Africa, were included.