Nutritional Transition in the Maghreb and Prevention of Obesity and Non-communicable Diseases

Completed

• Conditions: Iron Deficiency,; Anaemia,; Overweight,; Metabolic Syndrome

• Registration Number: NCT01844349
• Lead Sponsor: Agnes GARTNER

Brief Summary

Problematic and state of the art Obesity and its associated non communicable diseases (NCDs) are rising rapidly in middle income countries, such as those in the Maghreb (North Africa). This progression is related to the context of a nutrition transition (changing food and physical activity environment) and profound changes in technological advances and in society. These societies and their health systems are insufficiently prepared for this evolution, which has enormous health and socioeconomic consequences. In the context of limited resources, the priority has been given on an international level to prevention. But several problems arise: - these countries are still confronted by undernutrition in terms of micronutrient deficiencies, which coexist with obesity and NCDs, including at a family level and also individual level. Known as the 'double burden', this coexistence is relatively new and has been rarely documented until recently. Educational measures could be ineffective in a society where cultural norms do not recognise obesity and where changes in lifestyle are possibly not seen as acceptable. As well as information about citizen's knowledge of risk factors, data on their perceptions and attitudes are indispensable. Policies that involve changing the 'obesogenic' environment that individuals occupy is a priority.

Objectives of the project Overall aim: to contribute to the development of preventive strategies for obesity and chronic NCDs in the context of a nutrition transition.

Specific objectives: characterise the nature and size of the double burden (obesity/undernutrition) in regions, families and individuals; estimate the prevalence of biological and behavioural risk factors; characterise the psycho-sociocultural determinants of behaviour.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-03
• Primary Completion: 2010-05
• Study Completion: 2010-05
• Study First Submitted: 2013-04-29
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-04-30
• Status Verified: 2013-05
• Study First Posted: 2013-05-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-05-04
• Last Update Posted: 2013-05-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 8218

Inclusion Criteria

• To live in the region of the capital city
• To give free informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Pregnancy

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Body mass index in kg/m²	baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Serum ferritin in µg/L	baseline

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

National Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INNTA); 🇹🇳 Tunis, Great Tunis, Tunisia

Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofaïl University; 🇲🇦 Kenitra, Rabat-Salé, Morocco