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Morocco is undergoing nutrition transition with more than one third of women and children presenting anaemia while about 20% of children under the age of 15 years have stunted growth. Meanwhile the prevalence of obesity is increasing yearly by 0.5 to 1 point among women. Many nutritional strategies have been proposed but none has been implemented. Nutrition education and food based strategies are by far the most sustainable. Dietary diversity is used for the assessment of diet quality and food security. Morocco is still suffering from a heavy burden of many micronutrient deficiencies and child stunting. The purpose of the study was to assess dietary diversity by comparing a dietary diversity score (DDS) and a weekly food frequency score (WFFS) and study their relationship to anaemia and stunting in school-age children in the province of Kenitra (Morocco). A stratified random sample of 263 pupils with average age of 12.9 [+ or -] 0.9 years including one-third from rural schools were administered a weekly food frequency questionnaire. A health team assessed the anthropometric status and blood haemoglobin levels. Dietary diversity was appraised with two types of indices: a dietary diversity score (DDS) based on the number of food categories consumed over a week, and a weekly food frequency score (WFFS) which also takes into account the frequency of food intake. The DDS was significantly higher in rural than in urban children, whereas the WFFS was lower, in rural children owing primarily to less frequent intake of fruits and vegetables than in the urban children. Maternal level of instruction was also positively associated with a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables and milk, and with a higher WFFS. Both indices were significantly associated with stunting but not with anaemia. In conclusion, these results suggest that diet quality is associated with height status and food diversity indices that take food frequency into account may provide a better reflection of diet quality. Key words: Dietary diversity, anaemia, stunting, Morocco, INTRODUCTION Malnutrition is widespread in Morocco, like in many other developing countries and Africa in particular. The 1990-1991 survey on living standards in Moroccan households reported a stunting rate (height-for-age [...]

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Copyright of Antropo is the property of Antropo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Antropo is the property of Antropo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Antropo is the property of Antropo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Problem position: Morocco is undergoing a nutritional transition phase when stunting, micronutrient deficiencies coexist with chronic malnutrition in the same household. Strategies based on supplementation and food fortification are launched but food based ones need more attention from policy makers. Food diversification is one way to prevent and protect simultaneously in transitional stages. The nutritional status of school age children has rarely been assessed in Morocco though school is the suitable frame for nutrition education. Objectives: To evaluate the nutritional status of school children in urban and suburban areas of Kenitra and propose a food diversity index. Associations between this index and different nutritional indicators will be studied. Subjects and methods: 306 preadolescent children aged from 12 to 16 from seven schools are recruited and observed. A medical team has assessed the anthropometry and physical examinations. Blood was withdrawn by venipuncture. Hemoglobin concentrations were determined by auto analysis using colorimetry. Food consumption data was evaluated by a food frequency questionnaire for the past week. Z scores for the height-age, weight --age and body mass index were calculated by Epi info 2000. The food diversity index: FDI was defined as the probability a child has consumed every day a diet including four food groups (cereals, dairy products, meat and fish, fruits and vegetables). Results: Stunting affects 25% of children, whereas 7% are emaciated. Obesity is not a problem in this age group (less than 1%) although it is emerging in the adults. Anaemia is found in 31.6% using Hemog <11.5g/dl. According to the FDI used , only 17% of the children adequately diversify their diets. Stunting is associated to FDI (OR= 1.87, CI= 0.75- 4.89) though not statistically significant. Conclusion: Nutritional status of preadolescent children was not better than preschool children. Their food is not always diversified. Consequently school health and nutrition programs are needed to educate children and the household. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Morocco is currently undergoing rapid changes in diets and lifestyles, influenced by globalization and urbanization, leading to a shift away from the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) toward Western diets., Objective: Describe and explore the food consumption patterns of the population of Kenitra province and their adherence to the MedDiet using a validated survey., Method: The current cross-sectional study involved 442 respondents from Kenitra province, comprising individuals aged 18 and above. The survey included a combination of closed and open-ended questions regarding food consumption patterns and socio-demographic characteristics. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using the Panagiotakos method to calculate the MedDiet score (MDS). Additionally, each participant's adherence to the MedDiet was evaluated using a method based on Martínez-González's approach., Results: The results indicate that 31% of the participants eat vegetables, 28% eat fruits, and 19% eat wholegrain bread daily. Furthermore, 58% regularly use olive oil in their cooking. Eating out of home (OOH) was high, with popular places being restaurants and cafes (70%), fast food outlets (20%), and workplace canteens (7%). Overall, participants showed moderate adherence to the MedDiet, with a mean MDS of 36.3 ± 19.7., Conclusions: Promoting healthy eating habits is crucial in Kenitra. With moderate consumption of nutrient-dense foods and the popularity of the MedDiet, targeted interventions and educational initiatives can promote healthy dietary behaviors, improving overall public health., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In order to contribute to the reduction of nutritional deficiencies in Morocco, this study was undertaken to develop a healthier tortilla with higher iron and protein, while maintaining adequate technological and sensory qualities. Composite durum wheat flour enriched with 20, 25, 30, and 35% chickpea flour was assessed for nutritional, functional, and technological properties. Then, we selected two composite blends of 75:25 and 70:30 of durum wheat and chickpea flours for making tortillas to study nutritional, technological, and sensorial qualities. In addition, we studied the effects of making and cooking process and storage time. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analysis, and GraphPad Prism was used to create graphs. The results showed that composite tortilla had significantly higher nutritional value than durum wheat tortilla, and the best ratio was 30% chickpea flour. At this ratio, the results showed the best cooking time and the best yellowness, but tortilla fluffiness and puffiness decreased. Tortilla processing significantly increased protein at 30% chickpea flour, while minerals except sodium, weight, and diameter decreased. Adding 30% chickpea flour to durum wheat tortilla improved flavor. Then, storage decreased the weight resulting in decreased flexibility, and sanitary quality was lost early for 30% chickpea flour. In conclusion, adding 30% chickpea flour to durum wheat flour results in a healthier and tastier tortilla, which should be consumed fresh.

Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a threatening disease for African populations in the upcoming years because of the increase in their expectancy of life. Here, we investigated whether natural products from Chrysophyllum perpulchrum as catechin and two dimeric procyanidins (catechin + hexose) could prevent progression of oxidative stress and cognitive changes using an AD-like rat model induced by Aβ 1-40 injection into the hippocampal CA1 subfield., Methodology: Adult male Wistar rats were either microinjected with 1% ammonia as a vehicle (10 µL) or aggregated Aβ 1-40 at 10 µg bilateral hippocampus. On the 14th day of post-surgery, some Aβ rats were treated with melatonin (10 mg/kg i.p.) or with the Chrysophyllum perpulchrum extract (300 mg/kg p.o.), and some sham-operated rats received the extract alone. Cognitive abilities were tested with Y-maze, object recognition test and Morris Water Maze. Oxidative stress markers as well as the level of activated microglial cells were assayed in the brain., Results: Aβ rats exhibited significant deficits of recognition memory and spatial learning. This was associated with an increase of microglia Iba 1 immunoreactivity as well as nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels but not to the thiol content in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and septum of AD-like rats. The Chrysophyllum perpulchrum extract treatment mitigated Aβ-induced cognitive impairments and reversed microglia overactivation and subsequent generation of oxidative stress markers. Interestingly, the neuroprotective actions of the Chrysophyllum perpulchrum extract seem to be comparable to the control drug melatonin used albeit with some more beneficial effects., Conclusion: These findings are preliminary and should be strengthened by more pharmacological studies of bioactive compounds of Chrysophyllum perpulchrum before being proposed as a promising drug against AD., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest., (© 2021 Pacôme Kouadio N’Go et al., published by De Gruyter.)

Objective: Cold stress is an important current issue and implementing control strategies to limit its sometimes harmful effects is crucial. Cold is a common stressor that can occur in our work and our occupational or leisure time activities every day. There are substantial studies on the effects of chronic stress on memory and behavior, although, the cognitive changes and anxiety disorders that can occur after exposure to chronic intermittent cold stress are not completely characterized. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with an aim to investigate the effects of chronic intermittent cold stress on body weight, food intake and working memory, and to elucidate cold stress related anxiety disorders using cognitive and behavioral test batteries. Methods: We generated a cold stress model by exposing rats to chronic intermittent cold stress for 5 consecutive days and in order to test for the potential presence of sex differences, a comparable number of male and female rats were tested in the current study. Then, we measured the body weights, food intake and the adrenal glands weight. Working memory and recognition memory were assessed using the Y maze and the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) tasks. While, sex differences in the effects of chronic stress on behavior were evaluated by the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field maze (OF), and Marble burying (MB) tests. Results: We found that 2 h exposure to cold (4°C) resulted in an increase in the relative weight of the adrenal glands in male rats. Given the same chronic stress 5 days of cold exposure (2 h per day), increased weight gain in male rats, while females showed decreased food intake and no change in body weight. Both sexes successfully performed the Y maze and object recognition (OR) tasks, indicating intact spatial working memory performance and object recognition abilities in both male and female rats. In addition, we have shown that stress caused an increase in the level of anxiety in male rats. In contrast, the behavior of the female rats was not affected by cold exposure. Conclusion: Overall, the current results provide preliminary evidence that chronic intermittent cold stress model may not be an efficient stressor to female rats. Females exhibit resilience to cold exposure that causes an increase in the level of anxiety in male rats, which demonstrates that they are affected differently by stress and the gender is an important consideration in experimental design., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 El Marzouki, Aboussaleh, Najimi, Chigr and Ahami.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the link between the physical activity (PA) and cognitive function among the elderly in the health and social centers in Kenitra, Rabat, and Sidi Kacem city (Morocco)., Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 172 elderly (56.4% men) aged above 60 years (67.53 ± 7.53) in the health and social centers in Kenitra, Rabat, and Sidi Kacem city (Morocco). Cognitive functions were assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (Normal: MMSE's score >24 and cognitive impairment (CI): MMSE's score ⩽ 24). The physical activity (PA) was evaluated using the GPAQ (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire), ranking the elderly by high, moderate, and limited level of PA. The binary logistic regression was performed by the cognitive function (dependent variable), and PA level (independent variable)., Results: The elderly people with cognitive impairment (MMSE score <24 tend to practice less walking and cycling activities ( P   =   .005 ). However no difference was found between normal and cognitively impaired subjects for all other subtypes of PA ( P  > .05). The binary logistic regression adjusted for gender, education, profession, pension, depression, and nutritional status reveled that only the moderate level of PA was a protective factor against cognitive impairment compared to limited level (ORa = 0.136, 95% CI: 0.04-0.41) (ORa: Adjusted Odd Ratio; 95% CI: 95% of Confidence Interval)., Conclusion: Our finding demonstrates that moderate PA specially walking or cycling is associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment. This indicates that a regular practice of walking or cycling as PA can play an important role for cognitive impairment prevention. And the necessity for further researches to more understands this association., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2021.)

Introduction: the problem of malnutrition among children is a phenomenon associated with a rapid nutrition transition in Morocco and all developing countries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status by anthropometry, food consumption and iron deficiency anemia among primary school children aged 6-12 years in Kenitra city (Morocco)., Methods: the survey covered 271 students (55% of boys and 45% girls) aged 6 to 12. Information concerning food consumption patterns, socioeconomic status and other lifestyle factors was obtained using questionnaires and interviews. Anemia was defined when haemoglobin < 11.5 g/dl., Results: the results showed that, 6.3%, 2.2% and 17.3% children were stunted, thin and overweight respectively. No significant association was found between gender and nutritional status of children. 16.2% children were anemic and food consumption found not to be varied and below recommendations., Conclusion: the finding in this study showed that overweight and obesity occurred more frequently than the various forms of under nutrition in the population studied. The finding support the urgent need to improve the nutritional status of children by implementing preventive strategy for the problem of malnutrition among school-aged children., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Imane Achouri et al.)

Objectives: Several epidemiological data indicate that chronic hyperglycemia is associated with behavioral changes such as anxiety and depressive symptoms. Date seeds, one of the most potent products with potential antioxidant activities and possess many benefits against hyperglycemia and its complication. The aim of the current study was to explore the potential effect of date seeds extract on biochemical and behavioral changes (anxiety and depression) in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats., Methods: Rats were divided into four groups as follows: normal control, diabetic control, diabetic treated with the lyophilized aqueous extract of the date seed (2,000 mg/kg) (LAE-DS) and diabetics treated with insulin (4 UI/day). Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). After 24 days treatment period, anxiety and depressive behaviors were evaluated using four behavioral tests. After sacrifice, blood samples were collected to evaluate lipid parameters. In addition, rat organs (kidney, liver and brain) were dissected out in order to estimate lipid peroxidation levels as oxidative stress marker., Results: Oral administration of the lyophilized aqueous extract of date seeds and insulin injection for 30 days significantly decreased blood glucose levels in STZ-diabetic rats and protected them against undesirable changes in lipid parameters, including cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and atherosclerosis index. Compared to untreated diabetic rat, a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation levels in kidney, liver and brain (Hippocampus and prefrontal cortex) were observed after treatment with insulin or LAE-DS in diabetic rats. Furthermore, insulin and LAE-DS administration prevented anxiety-related behaviors in STZ-diabetic rats., Conclusions: Therefore, it would be possible to combine this extract with insulin and use it as an antioxidant supplement for type 1 diabetic patients., (© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)

Faba beans are acknowledged as a good source of proteins, minerals, fibers, vitamins and antioxidants. A blending study was undertaken in order to prepare naturally bread from enriched flours with added nutritional value, mainly in terms of Iron and proteins. Enriched flours were prepared with varied levels (25, 30, 35 and 40%) of whole faba bean flour to assess the effects of this substitution on their nutritional and technological properties. Then, whole durum wheat bread (regular) and enriched bread at 40% substitution level (composite bread) were prepared and subjected to sensory evaluation. The substitution level of composite bread was selected on the basis of Iron and proteins contents and technological results of the flour blends. Nutritionally, except for moisture, fibers, fat, zinc and sodium values, significant (p < 0.05) increases were showed in ash, proteins, minerals, total phenolic compounds, condensed tannins, total flavonoids and anti-radical activity values. Technologically, significant (p < 0.05) decreases were recorded for lightness and whiteness index. The gluten strength value revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease as whole faba bean flour was added. On the sensory level, the level of substitution (40%) chosen for the manufacture of composite bread resulted in acceptable bread by consumers. Moreover, composite bread was most preferred in aroma as it imparts a feeling of satiety. The observed nutritional improvements could be useful for malnourished people, including those having Iron and proteins deficiencies. Technologically, the observed changes didn't present limitations since composite bread was accepted by consumers even at 40% substitution level. Besides, the slight preference of composite bread aroma might encourage its consumption by consumers. Also, its promotion of satiety is important for gluten sensitivity sufferers. Our results suggested that 40% is the appropriate ratio to increase, at the same time, Iron and proteins contents of enriched flours as well as their overall nutritional quality. Also it was possible to produce natural composite bread at this level (40%) while maintaining adequate technological and sensory quality., (© 2020 The Author(s).)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) in the peri-urban adult population living in the island of Anjouan, Comoros and to investigate the factors associated with diabetes mellitus., Methods: The survey was a cross-sectional study, in which a sample of 902 individuals (540 women and 362 men) aged 25 to 64 was selected using empirical sampling "quotas" or "reasoned choice" survey method. Hypertension and obesity abdominal measurements of these subjects were collected during face-to-face interviews and following day fasting blood glucose was measured in capillary blood., Results: Participation rate was 83.5%. The mean age of subjects was 39.5 ± 11.63 years. The sex ratio was 0.67. Overall crude diabetes and IFG prevalence were 8.5% and 8.1%, respectively. The risk factors for diabetes type 2 onset were a family history of diabetes (P = 0.006), older age (P = 0.000), glycemic control (P = 0.010), excess waist circumference (P = 0.03) and hypertension (p = 0.000), were significantly positively associated with DM, contrary to sex (P = 0.142)., Conclusion: These high figures confirm that diabetes and factors associated do not spare Anjouan population. Awareness, primary prevention, are to set up for a better control of non-communicable diseases., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Introduction: Diabetes is a disorder of assimilation, use and storage of sugars provided in the diet. Its management is based on follow-up of overweight and obese patients and on regular glycemic control. This study aimed to analyze overweight, obesity and glycemic control in 2227 patients with different types of diabetes (type 1, 2 and gestational) presenting to the Provincial referral center of diabetes (RCD) in Kenitra, Morocco., Methods: We conducted a study over the period January-December 2015. Overweight and obesity assessment was performed using Body Mass Index calculator (BMI = weight/height 2 (kg/m 2 ). Overweight and obesity were defined by BMI > 25 kg/m 2 and BMI > 30 kg/m 2 respectively; the weight and the height were measured according to World Health Organization's recommendations. Glycemic control was based on glycated hemoglobin levels and fasting blood glucose test. Current guidelines recommend a glycosylated hemoglobin level of 7% and a fasting blood glucose of 0.70g/l - 1.10g/L., Results: The age of patients ranged from 8 months to 80 years, with a prevalence of diabetic patients from the urban environment (74%) compared to those from the rural areas (26%). The entire study population was overweight. The average BMI of women showed a trend toward obesity (BMI≈30): (29.21 kg/m 2 ± 3,1) in patients with gestational diabetes and (29.15 kg/m 2 ± 3.2) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Blood sugar levels were above the standards: 8.5% ± 2.6 > 7% for glycosylated hemoglobin and 1.5 g/L ± 1.3>1.10g/L for fasting blood glucose. The difference between glycosylated hemoglobin levels between men (8.57% ± 2.6) and women (8.1% ± 2.3) were not significant (p > 0.05), it was the same with fasting blood glucose: men (1.44 g/L ± 1,1) and women (1.43 g/L ± 1.2). Pearson's correlation coefficients were highly significant (p<0.005); on the one hand between BMI and fasting blood glucose(r = 0.5) and on the other hand between BMI and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (r = 0.4)., Conclusion: The entire study population had BMI and glycaemic control levels above the standards. More research is needed on diabetic patients in order to develop a remediation plan.

Aim: Behavioral and mental changes may occur in people exposed to cold stress by decreasing their work efficiency and their mental capacity while increasing the number of accidents on the job site. The goal of this study was to explore the effect of cold stress in spatial learning performance excitability and LTP., Materials and Methods: Three to four month old rats were randomly divided into four groups to form a control group and a cold stress group for each sex. The groups of cold stressed animals were placed in a cold room ambient temperature of 4°C for 2 h day. Adrenal glands and body weight (g) were recorded in control and stressed rats during the cold exposure. Spatial learning (acquisition phase) and memory (probe trial) were tested in the Morris water maze (MWM) immediately after daily exposure. Latency to locate the hidden platform, distance moved (DM), mean distance to platform, swim speed (SS) and time spent in the platform quadrant were compared between genders and treatments. Field potential recordings were made, under urethane anesthesia, from the dentate gyrus (DG) granule-cell layer, with stimulation of the medial perforant pathway 2 h after the probe trial. This study examined spatial memory as measured by MWM performance and hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in the DG after exposure to cold in a repeated stress condition for 2 h/day for 5 days., Results: The cold-exposed female rats needed less time to find the hidden platform on day 1 (43.0 ± 13.9 s vs. 63.2 ± 13.2 s), day 2 (18.2 ± 8.4 s vs. 40.9 ± 12.2 s) and on day 4 (8.0 ± 2.1 s vs. 17.2 ± 7.0 s) while cold-exposed male rats showed a decreased escape latency (EL) on day 1 only (37.3 ± 12.5 s vs. 75.4 ± 13.1 s). Cold-exposed male rats spent less time in the target quadrant (30.08 ± 6.11%) than the control male rats (37.33 ± 8.89%). Two hour cold exposure decreased population spike (PS) potentiation during both induction (218.3 ± 21.6 vs. 304.5 ± 18.8%) and maintenance intervals (193.9 ± 24.5 vs. 276.6 ± 25.4%) in male rats. Meanwhile cold exposure did not affect the body weight (C: 221 ± 2.5 vs. S: 222 ± 1.7) but it impacts the adrenal gland relative weight (S: 27.1 ± 1.8 mg vs. C: 26.2 ± 1.4 mg)., Conclusion: Overall, the results show that repeated cold exposure can selectively improve spatial learning in adult female rats, but impaired retention memory for platform location in male rats. It is possible that impaired LTP underlies some of the impaired retention memory caused by cold exposure in the male rats.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of anaemia and factors associated with iron deficiency among school children in rural Kenitra, Morocco., Methods: 295 students between 6 and 16 years old composed the study group. The level of haemoglobin was measured in a group of 295 school children. The iron status was determined by ferritin level in serum, and anaemia was defined when haemoglobin <11.5 g/dl. Iron deficiency was defined as ferritin level <15 microg/l. A questionnaire was developed to obtain information on the socio-economic and demographic status of the family such as the size of household, the income and possessions as well as educational status of the parents., Results: The mean haemoglobin concentration was 12.4 g/dl in boys and 12.5 g/dl in girls, whereas the mean ferritin level was 26.7 microg/l in boys and 27.9 microg/l in girls. The overall prevalence of anaemia in the studied population was 12.2% and iron deficiency was 20.4%. There was a significant relationship between education of the mother and anaemia in children (p= 0.01). Serum ferritin (SF), serum iron concentrations and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were significantly correlated with haemoglobin by multiple regression analysis. However, using logistic regression analysis, the results showed that anaemia was not significantly associated with gender, parents' employment and monthly family income., Conclusion: Anaemia remains a common problem in the young children particularly the primary education school boys of the households of low income. The results suggest also, that iron deficiency is an important determinant of anaemia in this population; however, whole anaemia cannot be solely explained by iron deficiency. Further studies are needed to consider micronutrients status and exposure to environmental pollutants.

Unlabelled: Anemia is a widespread public health problem in developed and developing nations, and its prevalence is highest among pregnant women. In developing countries, schoolchildren constitute the population with the next-highest prevalence. Because there are few studies of anemia in schoolchildren in Morocco, this study aimed to determine its prevalence and its risk factors among preadolescents. We recruited 306 pupils from seven primary schools; blood samples were taken with their parents' or guardians' consent. We also collected anthropometric data, information about social and demographic characteristics (parent questionnaire) and school attendance and performance., Results: More than 30% of these children had anemia: prevalence did not differ by sex, but was higher among those living in urban environments. Factors related to food behavior, especially diet diversity, appeared to be important. Our results found no relation between anemia and school performance. In the future more detailed cognitive tests should be used for this type of study., Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia among schoolchildren is high in the province of Kénitra, and the school health system is weak. Decision-makers have recently become aware of the need for an integrated approach to this age group: schools offer an opportunity for prevention and cure.