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Anemia and Nutritional Status of Syrian Refugee Mothers and Their Children under Five Years in Greater Beirut, Lebanon

Author

Listed:
  • Joana Abou-Rizk

    (Institute of Nutritional Sciences (140), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Theresa Jeremias

    (Institute of Nutritional Sciences (140), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Lara Nasreddine

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon)

  • Lamis Jomaa

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon)

  • Nahla Hwalla

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon)

  • Hani Tamim

    (Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 11-0236, Lebanon)

  • Jan Frank

    (Institute of Nutritional Sciences (140), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Veronika Scherbaum

    (Institute of Nutritional Sciences (140), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany)

Abstract

The objective was to assess the prevalence of anemia and nutritional status of mothers and children under five years among Syrian refugees in Lebanon and to identify nutritional deficiencies among pregnant, lactating, and non-pregnant non-lactating (NPNLM) mothers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Syrian refugee mothers with children under five years in Greater Beirut, Lebanon ( n = 433). Data on socio-economic status, maternal health, lifestyle characteristics, dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and hemoglobin concentrations were collected. The prevalence of anemia was 21.7% among mothers and 30.5% among children. NPNLM with overweight/obesity and an at-risk waist circumference (WC) had 14.7-times and 10.9-times higher odds of anemia than mothers with normal WC and weight. Children of anemic mothers had 2.7-times and 4.4-times higher odds of total and mild anemia than those of non-anemic. Higher odds of mild anemia were found among children of lactating mothers than of NPNLM. A high percent energy intake of total fat and sugar was found among all mothers. Nutritional inadequacy was identified in higher proportions of lactating and pregnant mothers than NPNLM. Our findings highlighted the co-existence of overnutrition and anemia among Syrian refugee mothers and undernutrition among children from the same household. Culture-specific interventions are needed to support maternal nutrition, to ensure the health and wellbeing of their offspring.

Suggested Citation

  • Joana Abou-Rizk & Theresa Jeremias & Lara Nasreddine & Lamis Jomaa & Nahla Hwalla & Hani Tamim & Jan Frank & Veronika Scherbaum, 2021. "Anemia and Nutritional Status of Syrian Refugee Mothers and Their Children under Five Years in Greater Beirut, Lebanon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-27, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6894-:d:583289
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Food and Agriculture Organization, 2013. "The State of Food and Agriculture, 2013," Working Papers id:5511, eSocialSciences.
    3. Trias Mahmudiono & Calista Segalita & Richard R. Rosenkranz, 2019. "Socio-Ecological Model of Correlates of Double Burden of Malnutrition in Developing Countries: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-23, October.
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