Assessment of the Nutritional Status, Diet and Intestinal Parasites in Hosted Saharawi Children
Mónica Gozalbo,
Marisa Guillen,
Silvia Taroncher-Ferrer,
Susana Cifre,
David Carmena,
José M Soriano,
María Trelis
Affiliations
Mónica Gozalbo
Area of Nutrition and Bromatology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
Marisa Guillen
Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Silvia Taroncher-Ferrer
Clínica Universitària de Nutrició, Activitat física i Fisoteràpia (CUNAFF), Lluís Alcanyís Foundation-University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Susana Cifre
Parasites and Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
David Carmena
Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Carlos III Health Institute, 28222 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
José M Soriano
Observatory of Nutrition and Food Safety for Developing Countries, Food & Health Lab, Institute of Materials Science, University of Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain
María Trelis
Parasites and Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
Since the early 1990s, Spanish humanitarian associations have welcomed Saharawi children from the refugee camps in Tindouf (Argelia). These children are the most affected by the lack of food, water, hygienic measures and health care. The main objective of this study was to analyze the anthropometric, nutritional and parasitological data of 38 Saharawi boys and girls (from 10 to 13 years old) under a holiday host program in the city of Valencia. Our results confirm that malnutrition and multiparasitism are highly frequent, so it is understood that living conditions in refugee camps continue to be precarious with a lack of proper hygiene and nutrition. Furthermore, biochemical alterations, lactose malabsorption and the risk of celiac disease, also detected in our study as a secondary objective, will complicate nutritional management and restoration of health. For this reason, sustainable feeding alternatives and interventions from a hygienic and nutritional point of view are proposed, emphasizing in an improvement in the education of parents and children.
