Adult characteristics of survivors of early life malnutrition in an impoverished population. Issue 8 (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muthuuri, J.M.; Some, Eliab Seroney; Chege, Peter
• Is Part Of: Clinical nutrition. Volume 39:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 2448
• Page End: 2454
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Characteristics -- Factors -- Early-life-malnutrition; Critically ill -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; Parenteral feeding -- Periodicals; Enteral feeding -- Periodicals; Enteral Nutrition -- Periodicals; Parenteral Nutrition -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Periodicals; Diétothérapie -- Périodiques; Alimentation parentérale -- Périodiques; Alimentation entérale -- Périodiques; Nutrition -- Périodiques; Diet therapy; Enteral feeding; Nutrition; Parenteral feeding; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.854
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.10.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-5614

Abstract

Summary: Background & aims: To determine the characteristics of adults who survived early life malnutrition (ELM) and the possible associated factors. The setting is an impoverished community in Kenya. The coastal region of Kenya has a high prevalence of acute protein-energy-malnutrition and stunting. Methods: Observational cross-sectional survey where 872 skeletally mature adults of African origin, were surveyed in a period of three months. A discrimination tool to detect ELM survivors was created. Personal, historical and family data were collected in a semi-structured questionnaire. Various observations and body measurements were done. The subjects were grouped into two, those with ELM (Group1), and those without (Group2). Results: Group1 had 242 participants, 49.8% males, mean age of 49.1 ± 8.7 years. Group2 had 630 participants, 48.3% males, mean age 41.0 ± 9.7 years. The phenotypic characteristics included height, BMI, and head circumference (P < 0.05). Developmental characteristics were duration of schooling, occupation and income (P < 0.001). Factors associated with malnutrition were County of origin, parental education, parental occupation, and family size (P < 0.001). Conclusions: There are discernible phenotypic and developmental characteristics associated with adult survivors of ELM. The predisposing factors for ELM are location of birth, parental education and occupation, and family size.