Nutritional profile, food intake and cardio-metabolic indicators among primary schoolchildren of Lokossa, Benin: a cross-sectional study

This study described nutritional (anthropometric and food intake) and cardiometabolic indictors schoolchildren living in Lokossa, Benin.This cross-sectional study used conglomerate probabilistic sample (n = 612) of primary schoolchildren (8-17 years) (12/2018-1/2019) and included anthropometrics indicators, regular food consumption of markers healthy/unhealthy eating, dietary diversity score, anemia, and blood pressure (BP). Cardio-metabolic indicators were measured in subsample (n = 165). Descriptive sex-stratified analyses were based on mean, standard deviation (continuous variables), prevalence, and 95% confidence interval (CI) (categorical variables). The global stunting prevalence was 25% and was higher in boys than girls (p < 0.001). From the total, 13.1% showed thinness; 6.5% were with excess weight. Almost half presented anemia. The healthy foods fish and green vegetables were the most consumed healthy foods; and fried salty snacks and sweet biscuits, the unhealthy foods most consumed. About one-third of the schoolchildreen had low HDL-cholesterol and high BP without sex differences, The results indicate a high prevalence of undernutrition coexisting with excess weight, cardio-metabolic changes, and high blood pressure.