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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04640389

Rural-urban Disparities in the Nutritional Status of Younger Adolescents in Tanzania.

Africa faces rapid urbanization, has the second highest population growth rate, makes up one-fifth of the world's youth population, and experiences stagnant rates of undernutrition. These challenges point to the need for country-specific data on rural-urban health disparities to inform development policies. This cross-sectional study examined disparities in body mass index-for-age-and-sex (BAZ) and height-for-age-and-sex z-scores (HAZ) among 1125 adolescents in Tanzania. Rural-urban disparities in nutritional status were significant and gendered. Findings confirm place of residence as a key determinant of BAZ, HAZ, and stunting among adolescents in Tanzania. Targeted gender-sensitive interventions among adolescents, particularly in rural areas, are needed to limit growth faltering and improve health outcomes.

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Key information

Conditions

Undernutrition Adolescent Development Growth Disorders Malnutrition Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Stunting

Age range

10 year–14 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003-9282, United States

About this study

Africa faces rapid urbanization, has the second highest population growth rate, makes up one-fifth of the world's youth population, and experiences stagnant rates of undernutrition. These challenges point to the need for country-specific data on rural-urban health disparities to inform development policies. This cross-sectional study examined disparities in body mass index-for-age-and-sex (BAZ) and height-for-age-and-sex z-scores (HAZ) among 1125 adolescents in Tanzania. Pearson's chi-square tested associations between rural/urban residence and undernutrition (BAZ <-2SD), stunting (HAZ <-2SD), anthropometric, socioeconomic, and health indicators. Multivariate linear regression identified predictors of BAZ and HAZ.

Funding: UNICEF/ Tanzania; United States National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH66801).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adolescents between 10 and 14 years of age

Exclusion criteria

  • Adolescents living away from the districts and not physically present at the time of the study

Treatment and study plan

Cross-sectional study/no intervention

Other

Cross-sectional study/no intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. Body Mass Index for age and gender z-scores

    Time frame: Two measures collected consequentially during a 30 minute time frame on the date of survey administration.

    Weight (Kg)/Height (M) squared compared to the WHO growth reference standard

  2. Height for age and gender z-scores

    Time frame: Two measures collected consequentially during a 30 minute time frame on the date of survey administration.

    Height in meters for age and gender compared to the WHO growth reference standard

  3. Undernutrition

    Time frame: Height and weight measures collected twice consequentially during a 30 minute time frame on the date of survey administration.

    Body Mass Index for age and gender z-scores < -2SD of the WHO growth reference standard

  4. Stunting

    Time frame: Two measures of height in meters collected consequentially during a 30 minute time frame on the date of survey administration.

    Height (M) for age and gender z-scores < -2SD of the WHO growth reference

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Other

Collaborators

  • Harvard University
  • Tufts University
  • UNICEF

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2020
First posted
Nov 23, 2020
Registry last updated
Nov 23, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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