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In order to determine if an adequate nutrition would allow the Sardi ewe lambs to mate during their first year of age, 32 ewe lambs (5-6 months of age) were divided into two groups of low (L) or high (H) nutrition plane. Each group received, in addition to a basal diet, 200 and 500 g head-1.day-1 respectively. Ewe lambs growth, onset of reproductive activity and postpuberty reproductive performances were recorded. During the trial, the H group showed a greater growth rate compared to the L group (74 vs 44 g per day). The H group attained normal cyclic ovarian activity earlier than the L group (322 vs 335 days) and a greater live weight (40 kg vs 35 kg). Furthermore, expression of first oestrus showed up 25 days sooner with ewe lambs 4 kg heavier in the H group as compared to the L group. While no ewe lambs in the L group lambed, following mating, 56% (9 out of 16) of the H group gave birth to a lamb at an average ranging from 16 to 17 months. The trial demonstrated that full reproductive activity attainment in Sardi ewe lambs is variable when considering both ovarian cycles initiation and oestrus expression. An adequate nutrition plane allows an earlier puberty and particularly enhances the fecundity at this time.

Morocco's vascular flora is one of the richest in the Mediterranean region. Women, particularly in rural areas, know how to use the wild edible plants available in their environment to make many popular traditional dishes. To our knowledge, there are no studies on the nutritional composition of these plants in Morocco. The present aim of this study is to contribute filling this gap by the determination of the nutrient composition (moisture, proteins, fats, total carbohydrates and ashes) and the energy value of 17 wild edible plants traditionally used as vegetables in the country. Moisture, total protein and Ash contents were analyzed using AOAC official methods. Fats content was determinate by the Mojonnier method and total carbohydrates were calculated by difference. The finding showed that most wild plants analyzed are low fat food with protein levels in the range or higher than several common cultivated vegetables. The highest total carbohydrates values were found in four Apiaceae species. Mercurialis annua and Urtica dioica stand out respectively for their fat and ash high levels. The reported data suggest that the wild leafy vegetables studied can be considered as good resources, with interesting nutritive potential, especially in the case of low-calorie human diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat is in continuous increase associated with cardiovascular risks and health disadvantages. Objective: The aim was to the study the prevalence and the determining factors of the association of obesity and hypertension in the Moroccan population of Khouribga province hitherto unstudied. A cross-sectional survey was conducted oi 2019 among a random sample of 401 adults of both sexes, from urban and rural areas. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), were calculated, Socio-demographic characteristics and physical activity level are determined. Anthropometric variables are significantly different in women and men. General obesity (BMI>30) was prevalent in 33.1% and abdominal obesity in more than 75%. Both general and abdominal obesity do not show any significant difference between urban and rural areas of residence. Hypertension was present in 35.5% in both sexes, significantly higher in rural men (57%) compared to urbans. Obesity increases with sedentarity. Obesity and hypertension increase with age and manifest themselves beyond the age of 35. Women with more than three children are obese. The present study data show that body weight management is related to origin, age, number of children as parameters associated with obesity. The prevalence of hypertension is associated with severe obesity. Abdominal obesity could be a predictive parameter of hypertension in the Moroccan population of the study province.

Background and Objectives: In recent decades, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders has increased worldwide; the objective here is to describe the situation in southern Mediterranean countries.Results: Data derived from surveys in the region countries showed that in 2002 more than 60% of all deaths in the southern Mediterranean region are attributed to NCDs. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) caused from about 34.3 to 52% of all deaths, making it the major killer among NCDs. In almost all of the southern Mediterranean countries, CVD risk factors increased with age, affected more women and urban area and were significantly associated with obesity. The Mediterranean dietary pattern, generally recognised, as a healthy diet is still the model for southern Mediterranean population; however, following the rapid process of urbanisation, southern Mediterranean populations have changed their lifestyle and food habits and tend to shift from traditional food habit. Indeed, intake trends illustrate the fall in whole-grain intake with a rise in animal sources and vegetable oils. Dietary energy has been steadily increasing by approximately 1000 kcal per capita per day between 1965 and 2000, exceeding per caput energy requirements. Protein and carbohydrate contribution to the energy intake show only small deviations and fat contribution to the energy intake is low, whereas fibre intake is generally low and that of SFA is high. Also, sedentarity appears to play a critical role in the development of body fat and may be a risk indicator for features of metabolic syndrome.Conclusion: The major goal to prevent CVD should begin by preventing obesity through physical exercise and healthy nutrition. The nutritional prevention policy required should encourage population to adhere to the Mediterranean model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this investigation was to study body size preferences and to examine the influence of sociocultural factors on obesity among 249 Moroccan Sahraoui women. Participants rated their ideal body size and the size they thought to be 'healthy,' using a figural scale consisting of nine images ranging from thin to obese. They also noted which particular sociocultural influences affected their body size ratings. The results indicated that women's rating of ideal body size (4.88) was significantly larger than their rating of healthy body size (4.33). The desire to lose weight was very low even among the majority of obese women, and educational level did not affect desire to lose weight. Women not satisfied with their body size were more likely to report trying to gain weight rather than to lose it. The major factors reported to influence body size ideal were mothers, men, and traditional clothing. It is an enormous challenge for the health institutions of Morocco to prevent obesity and its complications. Prevention programs should include teenagers and key family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The goal of the present work was to examine the prevalence and associated risk factors of undiagnosed diabetes among urban Moroccan Sahraoui women.Design and Setting: Randomised sample of adult women living in the city of Laayoune in south Morocco who visited public health centres during an immunisation campaign. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglycerides, dietary intake and physical activity were collected.Subjects: Data were obtained on 249 urban women aged 15 years and older, who were not pregnant. Only subjects identified as of Sahraoui origin were eligible for this investigation.Results: The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was 5.5% and that of undiagnosed diabetes 6.4%. Diabetes and IFG were more common among older and obese women as well as among women with hypertension or a family history of diabetes. In addition, sucrose intakes were higher in women with diabetes than in those with normal FPG. Also, physical activity estimated as the time spent in walking was negatively associated with FPG. Regression analyses showed an independent association of age, obesity, family history of diabetes and triglycerides with diabetes.Conclusion: The high proportion of unknown diabetes suggests the need for increased diabetes awareness in this population. The data suggest also the involvement of obesity in diabetes and the potential importance of intervention strategies to reduce population adiposity for the prevention and management of cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence of obesity and body fat distribution of Moroccan women of childbearing age, using a panel of anthropometric measurements.Design and Setting: A cross-sectional survey conducted in 1995 in an agricultural community, El Jadida province of Morocco. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences and triceps, biceps, subscapular and supra-iliac skinfold thicknesses were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), sum of all and sum of trunk skinfold thicknesses were determined.Subjects: In total, 1269 women aged 15-49 years from urban and rural areas were surveyed.Results: The means of all anthropometric measurements including body fat were higher in urban than in rural women and increased with age. Trunk fat contributed 50% of total fat. Globally, 4.7% of women were underweight (BMI<18.5 kg m(-2)), 35.2% were overweight or obese (BMI> or =25 kg m(-2)), 10.1% were obese (BMI> or =30 kg m(-2)) and 16.8% had central obesity (WHR>0.85). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in the urban than in the rural area. Underweight prevalence decreased with age, whereas that of overweight and obesity increased. All anthropometric parameters adjusted for age increased with the increase of BMI and WHR.Conclusions: Although undernutrition is still prevalent, there is an alarming prevalence of overweight and obesity in Moroccan women of childbearing age. The results indicate a shift in this country from the problem of dietary deficiency to the problem of dietary excess, and alert one to the necessity of establishing an intervention to prevent obesity-related diseases. It is necessary to address which of the anthropometric variables studied here is the best predictor of obesity-related diseases in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food is a multidimensional science that has appeal among other social representations of food practices. This study aimed to characterize and identify the determinants of eating practices according to the social representations of a population in the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra (RSK) region of Morocco. Data concerning socio-demographic characteristics were collected using a questionnaire. The social representations of dietary practices were obtained by characterizing three dietary practices. The main results showed that the high proportion of the study population is over 34 years old, is female, is married, and resides in the urban area. The most characteristic of good dietary practices chosen by the majority of the population was palatability, the factor chosen as the least characteristic of good dietary practices was traditional preparations. Among the studied factors, age, gender, higher level of education, professional occupation, "married" marital status, and involvement in purchasing and food preparation within the household are the determinants of certain representations.

Data on measured heights and weights indicate that the prevalence of obesity has increased among Moroccan population over the past 15 years. In 1984/1985, 4.1% of the adult population was obese, and the prevalence increased to 10.3% in 1998/1999. In the most recent survey in the year 2000, 13.3% of individuals aged 20 years and more were obese (22% among women and 8% among men). Excessive weight is more prevalent in urban than in rural areas, varies by geographical residence, positively associated with age and negatively with education level. The increasing prevalence of obesity poses challenges for researchers and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the extensive literature focusing on identifying novel antimicrobials of plant origin, little work has been undertaken to examine the antimicrobial activity of wild edible plants., Objective: The current research aimed to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of some common wild edible plants., Material and Methods: Disc diffusion and broth micro dilution methods were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of extracts of Mercurialis annua , Ziziphys lotus , Rubia peregrina , Origanum vulgare , Papaver rhoeas , Foeniculum vulgare , and Dysphania ambrosioides against known human microorganisms' pathogens., Results: The result indicated that most of the extracts exhibited a range of in vitro growth inhibitory action against all bacterial strains and yeasts tested with inhibition zones ranging from 11 mm to 32 mm, MIC value ranging from 0.048 to 50 mg/ml and MBC and MFC values ranging from 0.048 to 100 mg/ml. Among the seven plant extracts tested, O. vulgare was the most effective showing high antimicrobial activity against all tested microbial strains. All plant extracts exhibited bactericidal activities against all the tested bacteria strains except for those of R. peregrina , P. rhoeas and F. vulgare which showed a bacteriostatic activity against E. coli and Pseudomonas sp. Antifungal activity was shown only by O. vulgare , F. vulgare and D. ambrosioides against both C. albicans and C. neoformans ., Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of wild edible plants to control human pathogenic microbes and demonstrate that these plants could be used as starting points for the development of novel antimicrobial compounds.

Background: Wild edible plants (WEPs) that are part of the Mediterranean diet and used in Moroccan traditional food and therapy are now less or not used. This requires their valorization to avoid the threat of their disappearance. The objective of this work was therefore to determine the mineral content in the parts of some WEPs species used for their health benefits in the Rif in Morocco., Material and Methods: The parts of the WEPs species used, the leaves of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) masters, the aerial parts of Lavandula stoechas L., the stems of Rubia peregrina L., the seeds of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss. & Dur., known under the local names of Laaraar, Halhal, Foua, and Kamoun soufi respectively, are washed with distilled water, dried in an oven and crushed. The extracts of the powders obtained are analyzed for the quantification of mineral elements by ICP spectrophotometer., Results: The analysis results of ICP-OES show that the aerial parts of Lavandula stoechas L. are rich in K, Mg, Fe, Na, and Zn. The stems of Rubia peregrina L. are rich in Fe, Na, Mg, Zn, K, Ca, and Mn. The leaves of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) masters are rich in Fe, Ca, K, Na, Mn and Mg and the seeds of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss. & Dur. are rich in K, Ca, Mg, Na., Conclusion: The results reported in the samples of the WEPs analyzed present significant contents in minerals, in particular in K, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn and Mn and show that in addition to their medicinal values these species have a nutritional potential and could contribute to the dietary balance.

Background: Despite its benefits, the Mediterranean diet (MD) is abandoned or not adopted by the younger generations in most Mediterranean countries., Objective: The aim here was to examine some factors determining adherence to MD in Moroccan school-age adolescents., Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a school setting among 386 students (148 boys and 238 girls), aged 14 to 18 years, randomly selected and from different socioeconomic strata. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle data. Physical activity was assessed using the short French version of the IPAQ questionnaire. The KIDMED test was used to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured according to WHO standards. Body mass index (BMI) and waist�to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Statistical ANOVA test was used for to compare multiple means, Student's t-test for independent samples, Chi 2 test for categorical variables and multinomial logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with adherence to the MD amongst adolescents sample., Results: Adherence to the MD in this population was very low, with nearly 53% having poor adherence and only 7.7% reporting optimal adherence. Multinomial regression analyses showed that poor adherence is correlated with female gender (p=0.042), low paternal education (p=0.004), limited number of meals (p=0.006), advanced age (p=0.005) and inadequate sleep duration (p=0.027). In contrast, better adherence appears to be correlated with a high number of meals per day (p<0.001) and a better socio-professional class of the father (p<0.001)., Conclusions: This study revealed a low prevalence of good adherence to MD confirming a transition of the study adolescents towards a Westernized diet. Targeted nutritional intervention programs should be implemented to improve adherence to the MD among Moroccan adolescents, by promoting healthy eating habits.

Objective: This study aimed to assess parental perceptions of morbidity and certain functional abilities in people with Down syndrome (DS) and their variability according to age and sex in Morocco., Material and Methods: A retrospective and analytical survey was conducted between May 2014 and November 2017, and addressed to the parents of 279 individuals with DS, including 161 boys (57.7%) aged 1-40 years. The sample was subdivised to tree age groups, children under 10 years old, adolescents aged 10-18 years and adults aged ≥ 18 years. Information about the identity of parents, age and sex of people with DS, their morbidity during the two years preceding the survey, and some functional abilities was collected. Data were entered and analyzed using the statistical program SPSS statistics software for Windows (version 20.0). Chi-square (χ2) test was used for testing statistical significance. Differences were considered significant when the p-value < 0.05. The multivariate analysis were used to identify the causes of morbidies independently associated with age and sex of child. Associations were measured in Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% Cl)., Results: The most common factors of morbidity registered in the study sample with DS, included respiratory infections, visual disturbances, oral pathologies, and cardiac problems (75.4%, 72.1%, 59.3%, and 44.9%, respectively). The hearing deficit, cardiac problems, respiratory infections, and oral pathologies showed statistically significant differences among the three age groups. According to the participants parents' perceptions, half of them (50%) were able to walk at 30 months, talk at 72 months, sit at 16 months, crawl at 16 months and eat alone at 48 months old., Conclusion: People with DS at different ages present a set of potentially treatable diseases that require multidisciplinary medical monitoring. They also need early paramedical care to improve their functional abilities., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Objective: In this study, we present the results of biodemographic characteristics of households and associated factors with Down syndrome (DS) birth in Morocco., Methods: We conducted a retrospective survey between 2014 and 2017 addressed to 277 families with 925 siblings and at least one child with DS (279 with DS). The data are collected using a standardized questionnaire in Marrakech-Safi region. Data were entered and analyzed using the statistical program SPSS statistics software for Windows (version 20.0). χ2 and student t tests were used for testing statistical significance. Differences were considered significant when the p value &lt;0.05., Results: The binary logistic regression analysis between DS and non-DS children in their biodemographic characteristics studied (sex, breastfeeding, duration of exclusive breastfeeding, birth weight, maternal age at birth, paternal age at birth, oral contraceptive use, duration of oral contraceptive use before pregnancy, child age, and rank of birth) showed that only maternal age and paternal age at birth, duration of exclusive breastfeeding, birth weight, and child age were associated with DS birth (odds ratio [OR] = 1.08; 95% Cl: 1.04-1.13, OR = 1.04; 95% Cl: 1.00-1.08, OR = 0.95; 95% Cl: 0.92-0.98, OR = 0.31; 95% Cl: 0.22-0.44, and OR = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.87-0.93, respectively). In the other hand, the comparison between some of socio- and biodemographic characteristics of households studied with data from National Population Survey and Family Health (2018) showed a higher level of education in women and men in our sample in comparison with the general population. Similar results were shown in proportion of men and women in paid employment, the proportion of smoking and alcohol consumption among men, and the rate of oral contraceptive use before pregnancy among women., Conclusion: Highlighting the biodemographic characteristics of people with DS will help families to take good care of this group., (© 2024 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Despite the extensive literature focused on propolis extract, few data exists on the bioactive compounds and biological activities in the Moroccan propolis and its economic value is low., Objective: In this research, the aim was to evaluate the total content of phenols and flavonoids as well as the antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activities of Moroccan propolis., Material and Methods: The polyphenol and flavonoid content of the Moroccan propolis from three geographic regions, was quantified in the ethanolic extract by colorimetric methods using folin-ciocalteu and aluminum chloride. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH test and expressed as IC50. Disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used to examine in vitro antimicrobial activity against known human microorganism pathogens., Results: The obtained data revealed that Moroccan propolis samples presented significant variations in total polyphenols and flavonoids. All samples showed significant antioxidant activity with IC50 values ranging from 4.23±0.5 to 154±0.21 μg/ mL. A strong correlation between total phenolic activity, flavonoids and antioxidant activity was found. The in vitro study of antibacterial activity showed that the propolis samples exhibited a range of growth inhibitory actions against all bacterial strains tested with the highest activity against gram-positive bacteria. Only propolis from the Sidi Bennour region demonstrated an antifungal activity., Conclusion: The study data show that Moroccan propolis extracts have a promising content of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds that could be exploited to prevent certain diseases linked to oxidative stress and pathogenic infections., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: There is growing strong scientific evidence over the past few decades that the Mediterranean diet (MD) has protective effects on cardiometabolic health., Objective: This study aimed to assess MD adherence and its association with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among women living in two Moroccan provinces, El Jadida and Tetouan, located at different distances from the Mediterranean Sea., Material and Methods: It is a cross-sectional study involved 355 subjects of which 55.8% reside in the province of El Jadida, and data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, cardiovascular risks, medical history and of food frequency consumption were collected. Compliance with the MD was assessed with a simplified MD adherence score based on the weekly frequency of consumption of eight food groups., Results: The overall mean Simplified Mediterranean Diet Score was 4.37 ± 1.47 with inadequate compliance in 55.2% of the sample. No significant association was found between adherence to MD and geographic, socio-demographic, lifestyle or the major cardiovascular risk factors. However, the participants do not comply with half of the recommendations based on the Mediterranean diet pyramid. The lowest level of compliance was observed for olive oil, followed by sweets, eggs, potatoes, fruits, red meat, vegetables, legumes, olives, nuts and seeds. The increased contribution of sugars, dairy products and meat to the overall food intake is significant in the category with high adherence to MD., Conclusion: The study data indicate that Mediterranean Diet is far from being a global pattern in this Moroccan population. The study draws attention to the need for a promoting intervention to maintain this pattern as the original diet in the region., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: The most studied risk factors for Down Syndrom (DS) were: region of residence, exposure to chemicals, parents' education level, cigarette and alcohol use by father or mother or both, and oral contraceptive (OC) use., Objective: The aim of this study was to compare certain variables considered as risk factors on DS such as parental age at birth, OC use, child's sex, and rank of birth between children with DS and their siblings without DS as well as to determine the socio-bio-demographic characteristics of the families studied compared with the general Moroccan population., Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 277 families with 925 siblings and at least one child with DS (279 with DS) between 2014 and 2017. The data are collected using a standardized questionnaire in MarrakechSafi region. Data were entered and analyzed using the statistical program SPSS statistics software for Windows (version 20.0). Chi-square (χ2) and Student t tests were used for testing statistical significance. Differences were considered significant when the p-value <0.05., Results: The binary logistic regression analysis between DS and non-DS children in their bio-demographic characteristics studied (sex, maternal age at birth, paternal age at birth, oral contraceptive (OC) use, length of oral contraceptive use before pregnancy and rank of birth) showed that only maternal age and paternal age at birth and OC use were associated with DS birth (OR= 1.16; 95% CL: 1.11-1.21, OR= 1.05; 95%CL: 1.01-1.09 and OR= 0.01; 95%CL: 0.00-0.003, respectively). In the other hand, the comparison between socio and bio-demographic characteristics of households studied with data from National Population Survey and Family health (2018) showed a higher level of education in women and men in our sample. Similar results were shown in rate of men and women in paid employment, the rate of smoking and alcohol consumption among men and the rate of OC use before pregnancy among women., Conclusion: These results will help to sensitize the Moroccan population about risk factors for DS., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) on many chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD)., Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the adherence of a rural population to the Mediterranean diet, to identify the sociodemographic and lifestyle determinants and to analyze the association between adherence to MD and CKD., Material and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, data on sociodemographic, lifestyle factors, clinical, biochemical parameters and diet were collected on a sample of 154 subjects. Adherence to MD was assessed according to a simplified MD score based on the daily frequency of intake of eight food groups (vegetables, legumes, fruits, cereal or potatoes, fish, red meat, dairy products and MUFA/SFA), using the sex specific sample medians as cut-offs. A value of 0 or 1 was assigned to consumption of each component according to its presumed detrimental or beneficial effect on health., Results: According to the simplified MD score, the study data show that high adherence (44.2%) to MD was characterized by intakes high in vegetables, fruits, fish, cereals, olive oil, and low in meat and moderate in dairy. Furthermore, several factors such as age, marital status, education level, and hypertension status were associated with the adherence to MD in the study population. The majority of subjects with CKD have poor adherence to the MD compared to non-CKD with a statistically insignificant difference., Conclusions: In Morocco, maintaining the traditional MD pattern play crucial role for public health. More research is needed in this area to precisely measure this association., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper, (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: The locations of food purchase have an impact on the quality of food consumed., Objective: To examine food purchasing habits at traditional and modern markets, their associated factors, and their effects on consuming natural and processed foods., Material and Methods: This work used a validated conceptual and methodological framework of a study conducted among 507 households in the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region in Morocco. Data on sociodemographic and economic characteristics and the frequency of food purchasing were collected from household representatives through a population survey. The food frequency questionnaire was used to collect frequency of consumption of 20 foods, including 10 natural and 10 processed. The associations between the variables were studied by the Chi-square test with a level of significance of p <0.05., Results: Among the households 70% were urban, 62% have nuclear families, 51.5% a size of 5 to 12 members, 41% middle standard of living, 87% frequented markets and souks (MS), and 19% frequented large and medium-sized stores (LMS) at least once a week. The households have in majority a frequency of natural foods consumption ≥ 3 times/week, including fresh vegetables (91%), olive oil (85%), and fresh fruit (84%); and processed foods, such as refined flours (68%), industrial cheese (65%) and industrial yoghurt (52%). MS and LMS frequentation were associated with environment (p<0.001), family type (p=0.01 and p=0.002, respectively), household size (p=0.04 and p=0.002 respectively) and standard of living (p<0.001). Foods whose consumption was associated with both MS and LMS frequentation included fresh vegetables (p<0.001) as natural foods and baked goods as processed foods (respectively, p=0.01 and p=0.04)., Conclusion: The results of this study argue for implementing a nutrition education strategy based on the choice of food purchase locations as well as the consumption of natural or processed foods as part of a sustainable Mediterranean diet., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest, (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: The construction of the consumer's identity is dependent on how they prepare their meals., Objective: Study the cooking methods, frequency, and duration of meal preparation in Moroccan households as well as the associated factors., Materials and Methods: This work is a part of a study with a validated conceptual and methodological framework that was conducted in 507 households in the region of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra in Morocco. The characteristics of the population and data on the cooking methods, frequency, and duration of meal preparation were collected by a survey. Associations between variables were studied by univariate logistic regression with a significance level of p<0.05., Results: The majority of the population was aged between 35 and 65 years (76%) and lived in urban areas (70%). The univariate analysis showed that the urban area was a factor that hindered stewing (p=0.009), while the work status (p=0.04) and the marital status "Married" (p=0.04) were favorable factors; the household size (p=0.02) is a factor favoring steaming method; urban area (p=0.04), work status (p 0.03), nuclear family type (p<0.001), and household size (p=0.02) are factors hindering the use of oven cooking; urban area (p=0.02) and higher education level (p=0.04) are factors favoring the use of fried food, age category [20-34] years (p=0.04), higher education level (p=0.01) and work status (p=0.01) were factors that favored the use of grilling; nuclear family type, (p=0.04) and household size (p=0.03) were factors that hindered the preparation of breakfast; urban area (p=0.03) and Arab ethnicity (p=0.04) are factors hindering snack preparation; urban area (p<0.001) is a factor favoring dinner preparation; household size (p=0.01) and use of stewing at least four times a week (p=0.002) are factors hindering meal preparation time, while use of baking (p=0.01) is a favoring factor., Conclusion: The study results point towards the implementation of a nutritional education strategy based on combining habits, preferences, and good cooking practices., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: In recent decades, the Moroccan population has changed its dietary practices, particularly those related to meal-taking. It is about irregular meal schedules, reduced frequency and shorter time of meal taking times, as well as a decrease in family meal-taking. All these factors are likely to influence its nutritional status., Objective: The aim is to study meal-taking practices, their determinants and their implications on weight status. In this study, meal-taking practices are defined by the regularity of the schedule, the frequency and the duration of the meals as well as the family commensality., Material and Methods: This work data are part of a study conducted among 507 households in the region of Rabat-SaléKenitra in Morocco, with a validated conceptual and methodological framework. The questionnaire was completed with one member of each household and the body mass index (BMI) was determined by an impedance meter., Results: The main results indicate that the majority of the surveyed population was aged 35 years (59%), female (52%), urban (70%), with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (51%), took usually three meals a day (89%), spent less than 90 minutes a day in meals and snacks (60%), had irregular meal schedule (69%), and usually eat at least two meals or snacks a day with family (49%). The univariate analysis showed that urban area was a factor favoring variations of meal times, the male sex was a factor favoring three meals a day, the level of higher education was a factor penalizing the daily duration of meals, and that marital status "married" was a factor favoring family commensality. In addition, variable meal times were revealed as a factor contributing to overweight/obesity, and meal times ≥90 min were revealed as a protective factor of overweight/obesity., Conclusion: The study identified factors associated with meal times, frequency and duration. The results obtained will serve as a basis for the development of educational actions for a change in behavior conducive to health., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: The vine is considered one of the most important and popular fruits in the world thanks to its high nutritional value and high fiber content., Objective: This study aim was to evaluate the nutritional composition in a local variety 'Doukkali' grape (Vitis vinifera L.) in the perspective of their suitability for pharmaceutical and agri-food use., Material and Methods: The proximate composition and minerals were determined using AOAC methods, the total sugar by HPLC method. The total phenolic compounds using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, the total flavonoids using aluminum chloride colorimetric method and tannins by the method of vanillin., Results: The analysis of the raisin of this variety revealed a high carbohydrate content of 61% with high levels of glucose (31.6%), fructose (30.4%), dietary fiber (13.92%) and minerals including potassium (445.50 mg/100 g DM), calcium (193.26 mg/100 g DM), sulfur (171.63 mg/100 g DM), sodium (137.50 mg/100 g DM), phosphorus (99.79 mg/100 g DM), magnesium (54.74 mg/100 g DM) and iron (2.39mg/ g DM). Analysis of bioactive compounds showed significant content of polyphenols varying from 43 to 309.1 mg GAE/g DM, flavonoids from 1.0 to 23.8 mg CEQ/g DM and tannins from 2.5 to 50.45 mg TAE/g DM., Conclusions: The study shows that the local variety of Doukkali grape has an important nutritional potential that can contribute to the nutritional needs and the fight against malnutrition as well as to the dietary diversity of the local population., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Publisher: National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is a major health problem responsible for neonatal mortality and morbidity such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease in adulthood., Objective: This case-control study aims to compare data on the intake of energy, macro and micronutrient in two groups of pregnant women, who gave birth to low birth weight (LBW) babies named cases and those who gave birth to babies of normal weight (NW) called controls., Material and Methods: The collection of information was done using an established questionnaire for 400 pregnant women, allowing the collection of data on socio-demographic and obstetrical factors. Nutritional intake was obtained by recording food consumption using the 24-hour recall method. Anthropometric measurements of parturient and fundal height (FH) were measured before delivery., Results: The mean FH of the cases was 25.69±0.13 and that of the controls was 31.83±0.06. The gestational age of the cases was on average 31.65±0.21 week of amenorrhea (WA) against 38.04±0.08 WA for the controls. 37% of LBW newborns had an Apgar score < 7 (p< 0.001) and 71% were hospitalized in neonatal intensive care (p<0.001). Micronutrient deficiency was raised and concerned calcium 34.02% vs 60.65%, folates 48.32% vs 68.01% and iron 50.85% vs 66% in cases and controls respectively. Newborns from NW had a weight of 3395.5±15.99 against 1957.25±30.72 for those from LBW., Conclusion: This study shows that the nutritional intake did not cover all the nutrient needs of the pregnant women studied and that newborns with LBW are associated with an altered anthropometric status. Improving the living conditions of mothers, good monitoring of pregnancy, and good nutritional education can significantly improve the nutritional status with the same food intake and should be integrated into the nutritional intervention strategies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: The use of validated and reliable methods and instruments is necessary to study dietary practices and nutritional status due to their direct impacts on population health., Objective: The aim is the validity and reliability of the conceptual and methodological framework of research on factors associated with dietary practices and nutritional status (FADPNS), carried out on adult population of the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region in Morocco., Material and Methods: First, we developed a conceptual and methodological framework for research on FADPNS, which aimed to study dietary practices, nutritional status, and the factors associated with them in an adult Moroccan population. Then, we studied the validity and reliability of this framework in three phases. Phase 1 focused on the validation of the content of the conceptual and methodological framework, Phase 2 focused on the study by an expert committee of the internal consistency validity (ICV) of the questionnaires used in this research , and Phase 3 consisted of the study of the reliability of the items questionnaires by the test of Cronbach Alpha., Results: Thus, the validated content of the conceptual framework of research on FADPNS includes socio-demographic, socio-economic, and socio-cultural characteristics; health status; physical activity, places of food purchase; food preparation, taking of meals, family commensality; social representations of good dietary practices; food consumption; and nutritional status. The questionnaires used in this research received an ICV score of 85%. The reliability test of the questionnaires showed a Cronbach Alpha value ≥ 0.5, which turned out to vary from "moderate" to "excellent"., Conclusion: This work enabled the validation of the conceptual framework and the methodology of the study of the factors associated with dietary practices and nutritional status in the RSK region., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: Currently, T1D is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adolescents. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that more than 1.1 million children and adolescents are living with (T1D). A few studies have evaluated the relationship between dietary intake and glycemic control (GC) in people with T1D, and in particular, children and adolescents., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric characteristics, lipid profile, inflammation, dietary intake and GC in comparison with international guidelines., Materials and Methods: The study included a sample of 240 children, aged 15 years old or less with T1D. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the socio-demographic status, disease characteristics, and diet of the participants. Weight, height, and WC were measured and WHtR and BMI were calculated. Biochemical measurements were determined. Dietary intake was assessed using three 24-hour recalls., Results: Saturated fat intake was five times higher than recommended. Only 8.3% of participants reached the recommended level of fiber. Overweight, obesity, TC, TG, HDL and CRP were significantly higher in children with poor GC to those with good GC. In addition, participants with poor GC had significantly low intakes of calories, carbohydrates, fiber, MUFAs, and PUFAs and high intakes of fat and SFAs. The use of Bivariate correlation analyses showed that calorie, protein, fat and fiber intake were positively correlated with weight, height, WC, and GO, whereas carbohydrate intake was negatively associated with these parameters. On the contrary, CO showed a negative correlation with calorie, protein, fat and fiber intake and a positive correlation with carbohydrate intake., Conclusions: The results revealed that the dietary quality was poor and adherence to dietary recommendations was low with insufficient fiber intake and excess SFA. These results suggest that GC can be improved by a healthy, balanced diet by increasing fiber intake and limiting SFA intake. Liczba pobrań: 2., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: In Western societies, gender differences in health and health behavior are extensively documented, but less is known about gender health disparities in Morocco. Aging is not yet a research topic or a source of concern. However, the country will face significant demographic aging in the future., Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in indicators associated with socioeconomic status, health status, and access to health care among the elderly population of the El Jadida region in Morocco., Material and Methods: It is a cross-sectional study on a random sample of 537 persons, aged 60 and older (136 women and 401 men) from the El Jadida region., Results: When compared to their male counterparts, older Moroccan women face a number of disadvantages, including lower levels of education and literacy, lower levels of employment, rising rates of widowhood and living alone, and a lower likelihood of receiving formal pension benefits. In terms of health status, half of older women do not have medical coverage, almost all feel more tired, and, in discomfort, half suffer from total and central obesity, with more visual, oral, and memory health problems. Older Moroccan men, on the other hand, have greater hypertension, smoke and consume more tobacco and alcohol, and are more anxious, depressed, and insomniac. Overall, for both sexes, the perception of self-rated health status was deemed poor, with three health problems reported per person. Many other demographic, psychosocial, and economic indicators were not significantly related to gender., Conclusions: In Morocco, older people face a variety of problems that have a negative impact on their perception of aging. Furthermore, there are gender differences in socioeconomic status, prevalence, symptoms, and correlates of chronic diseases, health service use, and lifestyle. Longitudinal studies and immediate implementation of medical policy for this population are needed., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest to record for the authors., (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is considered to be one of the most important indicators of a newborn's chances of survival, and a major risk of medium- and long-term morbidity., Objective: To identify risk factors associated with low birth weight newborns among pregnant women during childbirth in Moroccan hospital environment with a view to proposing avenues of intervention for its prevention., Material and Methods: Data concerning the weight of newborns at birth, nutritional education, pregnancy monitoring and other risk factors, etc. were collected from 312 pregnant women who gave birth in the maternity ward of El-Jadida Provincial Hospital in Morocco., Results: The study identified 156 cases of newborns with LBW and 156 controls of normal-weight newborns. After adjustment for the variables included in the analysis, the determined factors associated with LBW are nutritional education [OR: 6.22 (2.60-14.87), P<0.001], illiterate women [OR: 8.74 (1.65-46.08), P=0.011], insufficient pregnancy monitoring [OR: 5.69 (2.74-11.83),P<0.001], pregnant women with a normal weight [OR: 3.84 (1.73-8.52), P=0.001], lack of psychological support [OR: 3.23 (1.72-6.08), P<0.001] and tiring domestic activity [OR: 2.13 (1.14-3.99), P=0.017]., Conclusion: Promotion of nutrition for pregnant women, proper implementation of maternal health programs and improvement of their social condition are the modifiable factors that should help reduce LBW risk., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest, (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: Healthy diet plays an important role in the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in the prevention of related comorbidities. Dietary diversity score (DDS) is well recognized as an indicator for assessing diet quality and food security. However, its association with CKD has not been investigated., Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of CKD and to evaluate its association with DDS among a Moroccan adults from Sidi Bennour province., Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 210 individuals. General information among others was collected. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Blood samples were collected and the serum creatinine was determined. Subsequent glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated by the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula and the chronic kidney disease was defined by an eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m². Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hours dietary recall, and DDS was computed according to the FAO guidelines., Results: The participants mean age was 54.18±13.45 years, with a sex ratio of 0.38 and 4.4% as the prevalence of chronic kidney disease. The dietary diversity score was lower than 3 (lowest DDS) in 14.4% of the subjects, between 4 and 5 (medium DDS) in 72.5% and higher than 6 (high DDS) in 13.1% of the subjects. Subjects with higher DDS consistently have a higher level of eGFR compared to those with lower DDS while the DDS was not associated with the incidence of CKD in the present study., Conclusion: Even if no statistically significant association was found between CKD and dietary diversity, there is a relationship of higher eGFR levels among the study participants with higher dietary diversity., Competing Interests: No funding was received for this article, (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: Dietary diversity and variety scores represent tools for measuring the overall quality of diets. In children, they are good indicators of their nutritional status and growth., Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the consumption and eating habits as well as the lifestyle of Moroccan adolescents attending school in the city of El Jadida., Material and Methods: A sample of 463 children of both sexes, aged 9 to 17, attending four schools in the city of El Jadida was studied. Eating habits and information on socioeconomic level are assessed using questionnaires and weight and height were measured on participants., Results: According to the dietary diversity score (DDS) classes, 2.4% of the children surveyed were with low DDS, 55.7% moderate and 41.9%, with high DDS. The mean DDS was 5.67 ± 1.03 in underweight children and 5.53 ± 1.5 in those with overweight (obesity included) and the food variety scores (DVS) were of 12.94±3.24 food items and 10.81±3.25 in the 2 groups respectively. In addition, data analyzes show that children from parents with a low level of education had higher averages of DDS and DVS (DDS: 5.54 ± 0.84; SVA: 10.65 ± 2.32) compared to those of parents with medium education level (DDS: 5.31±0.96; DVS: 9.72±2.62) or high level (DDS: 5.17±0.93; DVS: 9.36 ±2.42). In addition, children from parents of high economic level had a lower averages of DDS and DVS (DDS: 5.24 ± 0.88; DVS: 8.84 ± 2.10) compared to those of parents of low economic level (DDS: 5.36±1.00; DVS: 10.14±2.85). The sugary products were consumed by 56.3% of underweiht children, 75% of normal-weight children and 67% of overweight children (including obese). The estimated total energy intake (TEI) was higher than the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) in underweight 2933 Kcal/d and in overweight (including obese) children 3061.75 Kcal/d, while the mean daily intakes of folate, calcium, iron, potassium and zinc were lower than the (RDA). The food groups consumed by the majority of children were cereals (98.5%), fruits and vegetables (87.7%), and sweet products (69.8%) while oilseed products and fat were less consumed (9.7% and 7.8% respectively)., Conclusion: The study data show that the adolescents diet were moderately diverse, little varied and poor in certain nutrients essential for their nutritional status and growth. The study draws attention to the need for parents to be aware of the benefits of improving the diet quality and weight status of adolescents., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest regarding this article, (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: Despite the efforts of health systems, the prevalence of malnutrition reflected by weight status still poses challenges for many countries around the world. In fact, with the decrease in undernutrition, excess weight and obesity are gradually increasing in parallel with that of chronic diseases. Among school-going adolescents, however, weight status is less studied, particularly in developing countries., Objective: The objective of this research is to examine the situation and the determinants of the weight status of adolescents in the province of El Jadida in Morocco., Material and Methods: The study was carried out on a sample of 463 students from the province of El Jadida of which 58.1% are boys and 41.9% girls, ages 9 and 17. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements including height, weight and waist and hip circumference. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated to determine underweight, overweight and general obesity and waist circumference and the waist circumference to hip circumference ratio were used to determine abdominal obesity., Results: The results indicate that only 59.6% of students had normal weight status, 40.4% had abnormal BMI values corresponding to thinness in 18.8% and overweight (overweight and obesity) in 21.6%. A significant difference in the prevalence of abnormal weight status by sex and level of physical activity was found. The results of the present study reveal an abnormal weight status in a large proportion of adolescents linked in addition to the peculiarities of the puberty phase to the sedentary lifestyle in the study population., Conclusions: The results obtained revealed the coexistence of over-nutrition and undernutrition which require a prevention policy based on regular monitoring of weight status as well as on nutritional education and the promotion of physical activity for children and parents., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest regarding this article, (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: Micronutrient malnutrition is a serious public health problem in most developing countries, including Morocco, due to poor and therefore lower quality diets that lack dietary diversity., Objective: The present study aimed to assess dietary diversity and variety and their relationship with micronutrient adequacy in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D)., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried among 240 children and adolescents with T1D. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. Dietary intake data were obtained from two 24-h recalls. A Dietary diversity (DDS) and dietary variety scores (DVS) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) and nutritional adequacy ratios (NARs) were calculated and compared according to sociodemographic/anthropometric categories., Results: 52.1% of the patients were female. The mean age of the patients was 8.49 ± 4.1 years. The mean BMI was 19.44 ± 5.24 kg/m2; the mean DDS was 4.62±1.20 and the mean MAR was 0.66 ± 0.11. Older children living in rural areas have a low DDS/DVS. Parental education and income level are associated with DDS/DVS. General and central obesity were significantly elevated in children with high DDS. In addition, a high intake of vegetables, eggs, fiber and micronutrients (Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc, Phosphorus and Vit B1) is associated with a high DDS; however, high DVS is associated with high consumption of dairy products, carbohydrates and low intake of protein and fat. There are also positive correlations between DDS/DVS and NARs for various nutrients., Conclusion: The quality of the respondents' diets are moderately diversified. DDS or DVS can be used as indicators of micronutrient adequacy in Moroccan T1D children. Nutritional education needs to be strengthened to improve dietary diversity in children, especially in rural areas., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)