Miranda Armstrong|Mike Lambert|Estelle V. Lambert
Secular trends in the prevalence of stunting, overweight and obesity among South African children (1994–2004)
Sports Science Institute of South Africa|University of Cape Town|Sports Science Institute of South Africa|University of Cape Town|Sports Science Institute of South Africa|University of Cape Town
various nutrition programs free health care children less 6 years old introduced south africa mid1990s aim describe secular trends nutritional status south african sa children 10year period following reformsthe sa national primary schools anthropometric survey n105 000 crosssectional survey children sa education departments sampled 1994 health nation study n10 295 crosssectional study including children primary schools five sa provinces sampled 2001 2004 height weight sa children measured surveys 811 year olds national centre health statistics reference used calculate prevalence mild moderate stunting overweight obesity calculated according international obesity task force reference coexistence stunting overweight obesity among two age sexmatched cohorts also calculatedwhen compared previous sa data moderate stunting 24649 p0001 decreased 710 years considered whereas overweight 12130 p0001 obesity 0233 p0001 prevalence increased lower levels mild stunting similar levels moderate stunting among overweightobese children compared nonoverweightnonobese childrenour findings suggest feeding policies may effective reducing prevalence undernutrition however intersectoral policies recognize apparent secular trend increased prevalence overweightobesity among young south africans