Influence of Nutritional Status on the Physical Aptitudes and Cardiovascular Profiles of School Children in Rural and Urban Areas of North Cameroon
Macias Nwana Dinga Dohbobga *
Department of Biology and Sports Education, National Institute of Sports and Physical Education, P.O.Box 1016, Yaounde, Cameroon and Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, SWR, Cameroon.
Helen Kuokuo Kimbi
Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, SWR, Cameroon.
Orelien Sylvain Mtopi Bopda
Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, SWR, Cameroon.
Pascale Mibo’o
Department of Biology and Sports Education, National Institute of Sports and Physical Education, P.O.Box 1016, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Elvis Ngede Nkwelle
Department of Biology and Sports Education, National Institute of Sports and Physical Education, P.O.Box 1016, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Stephane Noumi
Division of Cooperation, Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Magdalein Binue Menang
Department of Biology and Sports Education, National Institute of Sports and Physical Education, P.O.Box 1016, Yaounde, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This work was aimed at determining the influence of nutritional status on physical aptitudes and cardiovascular profiles of children in rural and urban areas of North Cameroon.
Experimental Design: The study was a cross-sectional survey.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Cameroon from February to March 2014.
Methodology: Overall, 633 children aged 6-17 years were enrolled into the study. Demographic information was recorded. Weight, height, cardiovascular profiles [heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP)] and physical aptitudes [six minutes walk (6MWT), broad jump (BJ), 30 m dash] were evaluated.
Results: Prevalence values of malnutrition and hypertension were 3.3% and 0.31% respectively. HR was significantly higher in males (P<0.001), children aged 6-10 years (P=0.001) and those from urban areas (P<0.001) when compared with their respective counterparts. DBP was significantly higher in children aged >10years (P=0.01) and normonourished children (P=0.014) than their respective counterparts. SBP was higher in children aged >10 years than those aged 6-10 years and the difference was significant (P<0.001). The mean 6MWT and mean BJ were significantly higher (P<0.001) in children aged >10 years and those from rural areas (P<0.001) than their respective counterparts. The mean time taken to do the 30 m dash was significantly higher (P = 0.001) in children from rural areas (6.15±0.06 sec), than those from urban areas (5.86±0.22 sec). There was a negative correlation between the HR and mean BJ (P<0.001), HR and mean 6MWT (P <0.001), SBP and mean time for 30 m dash (P <0.001), DBP and 30 m dash (P<0.001) in the normonourished children. There was a positive correlation between HR and 30 m dash (P<0.001), SBP and BJ (P<0.001) as well as DBP and BJ (P<0.001) in normonourished children.
Conclusion: A weak correlation was registered between the nutritional status, physical and cardiovascular parameters of the school children.
Keywords: Nutritional status physical aptitudes, cardiovascular profiles, malnutrition, school children, urbanization