SEARCHMETA-ANALYSISnutrition, pediatrics

meta-analysis·nutrition, pediatrics, public health, epidemiology, systematic review·PMC10079122

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of childhood undernutrition in North Africa

PLOS ONE · 9 authors, 7 centres

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TL;DR

This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled data from 27 studies to estimate the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children under five across seven North African countries. It found that undernutrition is widespread, with prevalence rates higher than global averages, posing a significant challenge to meeting Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Full summary

827 CHARS

This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 eligible studies published between 2006 and 2022 to estimate the pooled prevalence of childhood undernutrition (stunting, wasting, and underweight) in North Africa. Using random-effects models due to high heterogeneity, the analysis found an overall regional prevalence of stunting at 23.5%, wasting at 7.9%, and underweight at 12.9%. Significant country-level variations were observed, with Sudan showing the highest rates across all indicators. The discussion links these high prevalence rates to regional factors such as conflict, poverty, food insecurity, and climate change. The authors conclude that undernutrition is a major public health concern in the region and that ongoing monitoring is needed to track progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.

STUDY TYPE

meta-analysis

SPECIALTY

nutrition

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10079122

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of childhood undernutrition in North Africa

PLOS ONE

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Undernutrition (stunting, wasting and underweight) among children remains a public health concern in North Africa, especially following recent conflicts in the region. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews and meta-analyses the prevalence of undernutrition among children under five in North Africa to determine whether efforts to reduce undernutrition are on track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Eligible studies published between 1 st January 2006 and 10 th April 2022 were searched for, using five electronic bibliographic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase (Ovid), ProQuest and CINAHL). The JBI critical appraisal tool was used, and a meta-analysis was conducted using the ‘metaprop’ command in STATA, to estimate the prevalence of each undernutrition indicator in the seven North African countries (Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Western Sahara). Due to the significant heterogeneity among studies (I 2 >50%), a random effect model and sensitivity analysis were conducted to examine the effect of outliers. Out of 1592 initially identified, 27 met the selection criteria. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and being underweight were 23.5%, 7.9% and 12.9%, respectively. Significant variations between the countries with the highest rates of stunting and wasting were reported in Sudan (36%, 14.1%), Egypt (23.7%, 7.5%), Libya (23.1%, 5.9%), and Morocco (19.9%, 5.1%). Sudan also had the highest prevalence of underweight (24.6%), followed by Egypt (7%), Morocco (6.1%), and Libya (4.3%) with more than one in ten children in Algeria and Tunisia having stunted growth. In conclusion, undernutrition is widespread in the North African region, particularly in Sudan, Egypt, Libya, and Morocco, making it challenging to meet the SDGs by 2030. Nutrition monitoring and evaluation in these countries is highly recommended.

CITATION EXPORT

Nagwa Farag Elmighrabi, Catharine A K Fleming, Mansi Vijaybhai Dhami et al.. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of childhood undernutrition in North Africa. PLOS ONE. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283685

AUTHORS

9 · 7 CENTRES

Nagwa Farag Elmighrabi, Catharine A K Fleming, Mansi Vijaybhai Dhami, Ali Ateia Elmabsout, Kingsley E Agho, Seo Ah Hong, Seo Ah Hong, Seo Ah Hong, Seo Ah Hong

1School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Penrith, NSW , Australia
2Organization of People of Determination and Sustainable Development, Libya
3Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
4Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
5Hunter New England Health, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
6Faculty of Health Sciences University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
7Mahidol University, THAILAND