Moderate thinness and its association with muscle strength of children 5-7 years in Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

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.