Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/47496
Title: Moderate thinness and its association with muscle strength of children 5-7 years in Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: TESHOME, Melese Sinaga 
Alemayehu, Eden
VERBECQUE, Evi 
MINGELS, Sarah 
GRANITZER, Marita 
RAMECKERS, Eugene 
ABESSA, Teklu Gemechu 
Belachew, Tefera
Issue Date: 2025
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
Source: Public health nutrition, 28 (1) (Art N° e152)
Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between moderate thinness (MT) and muscle strength among children aged 5-7 years old in Ethiopia.Design: A school-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted between June and July 2022. Their nutritional status (MT v. well-nourished (WN) was identified using BMI-for-age-and-sex; hand grip was measured using a digital grip strength dynamometer, and biceps, quadriceps and gastrocnemius strength were measured with Digital (Handheld) Dynamometry. Independent predictors of muscle strength were identified using a multivariable linear regression model.Setting: The study was conducted in Kindergarten and primary schools of Jimma Town, located in Southwest Ethiopia.Participants: Children 5-7 years old (n 388) with moderate thinness (MT = 194) and well-nourished peers (WN = 194).Results: Children with MT (n 198) had significantly lower grip strength, biceps, quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle groups than WN children (n 198) (P < 0<middle dot>001). The mean and sd of grip strength were 4<middle dot>15 (sd 2<middle dot>56) kg for MT and 5<middle dot>6 (sd 2<middle dot>04) kg for WN children. Biceps strength was 34<middle dot>3 (sd 7<middle dot>34) Newton (N) for MT and 48 (11<middle dot>69) N for WN children. Gastrocnemius strength was 30<middle dot>1 (6<middle dot>9) N for MT and 45<middle dot>1 (sd 9<middle dot>7) N for WN children. After adjusting for background characteristics, WN children had 1<middle dot>38 times higher grip strength (beta = 1<middle dot>38, P < 0<middle dot>001), 11<middle dot>22 times higher biceps strength (beta = 11<middle dot>22, P < 0<middle dot>001), 16<middle dot>70 times higher quadriceps strength (beta = 16<middle dot>70, P < 0<middle dot>001) and 12<middle dot>75 times higher gastrocnemius strength (beta = 12<middle dot>75, P < 0<middle dot>001) than MT children.Conclusion: Children with MT had significantly lower muscle strength than their WN counterparts. This highlights the negative functional effect of wasting.
Notes: Teshome, MS (corresponding author), Jimma Univ, Hlth Inst, Fac Publ Hlth, Dept Nutr & Dietet, Jimma, Ethiopia.; Teshome, MS (corresponding author), Hasselt Univ, Rehabil Res Ctr REVAL, Rehabil Sci & Physiotherapy, Wetenschapspk 7, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
dagimele2@gmail.com
Keywords: Muscle strength;Muscle strength;Moderate thinness;Moderate thinness;Well- nourished;Well-nourished;School-aged children;School-aged children;Ethiopia;Ethiopia
Document URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/47496
ISSN: 1368-9800
e-ISSN: 1475-2727
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980025100955
ISI #: 001568240900001
Rights: The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Category: A1
Type: Journal Contribution
Appears in Collections:Research publications

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