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Over the last few decades, there have been significant dietary and lifestyle changes worldwide. In Morocco, these changes have led to serious nutritional disorders and increased risk of morbidity and mortality particularly among vulnerable groups such as women of childbearing age. We aimed to assess the average daily energy and macronutrient intakes and to investigate their association with socioeconomic factors and weight status among women aged 19–49 years in urban areas. A total of 542 women attending public health centers were recruited. Socioeconomic and demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standardized equipment. Food consumption data were obtained through the 24-hour dietary recall method, and the macronutrient composition of foods was estimated based on the Moroccan food composition table and the Nutrilog software. The average daily energy intake among the study population was 1591 kcal, composed of 56% from carbohydrates, 28% from fats, and 16% from protein. Reported energy intake by the majority of women (81.5%) was lower than recommended daily allowances for energy. There was a significant positive correlation between educational level and energy (p=0.001), carbohydrates (p=0.001), proteins (p=0.004), and fats intakes (p=0.032), respectively. A significant negative association of household size with protein intakes was also observed (p=0.034). Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats intakes tended to decrease; however, these associations were not statistically significant. Further studies and appropriate interventions are needed to address the trends in energy and macronutrients intakes in the development of policy initiatives aimed at nutrition education and chronic disease prevention among childbearing age women.

Worldwide, obesity is considered as an important public health problem. This study aims to explore the social and economic factors associated with overweight and obesity among women of childbearing age residing in the urban area of Morocco. This is a descriptive and analytical study conducted among women (N=240), aged between 15 and 49 years. At recruitment, socioeconomic status (SES) of each participant was assessed, anthropometric parameters were recorded, and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were measured to assess overweight and obesity. Data regarding skipped meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) were collected using an adapted questionnaire. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of childbearing age was 29.9% and 15.4%, respectively, while for abdominal obesity, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was, respectively, 39.9% and 60.1%. The results indicate that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among women is higher in women aged over 30. A significant association was shown between education level and both BMI and WHR (r1=−0.23, r2=−0.17, p<0.05), respectively, and there is also a significant correlation between household size and WHR abdominal obesity (r=0.21, p=0.05). Our results reinforce the necessity to improve the access of all social classes in Morocco to reliable information on the determinants and consequences of obesity and to develop plans for adequate prevention and management of obesity.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) after a wheat flour fortification program with electrolytic elemental iron in Morocco. Two surveys were conducted after introduction of fortified wheat flour. The target population was women aged 15–49 years and preschool children aged between 2 and 5 years. A total of 1,258 and 1,237 children aged between 2 and 5 years, and 1,497 and 1,537 women of childbearing age have been involved, respectively, in the first and second investigation using a sentinel system. Ferritin and C-reactive-protein analyses were determined in a sub-sample of 268 and 130 women who were selected in May 2006 and January 2008, respectively and, in a subsample of 146 and 201 preschool children who were recruited in May 2006 and January 2008, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia in women was 31.5 and 33.3 % in May 2006 and January 2008, respectively. The prevalence of IDA was 63.9 and 59.1 % in May 2006 and January 2008, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia among preschool children was 47.8 and 37.5 % in May 2006 and January 2008, respectively. The prevalence of IDA in preschool children was 16.7 and 16 % in May 2006 and January 2008, respectively. The flour fortification programme with electrolytic elemental iron in Morocco had no apparent beneficial effect on the prevalence of IDA among women of childbearing age and preschool children.