Nutritional Status, Dietary Practices, and the Double Burden of Malnutrition Among School-Aged Children in Cameroon: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Undernutrition remains highly prevalent among children and adolescents in Cameroon, while increasing rates of overweight and obesity reflect an ongoing nutrition transition and a growing double burden of disease. This systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of research conducted on nutritional status, dietary intake, and nutrition-related practices in nursery, primary, and secondary schools in Cameroon. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Four electronic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate) were searched for studies published between January 2000 and February 2024. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. A total of 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in urban areas, particularly in Yaoundé (21.8%), Douala (15.3%), and Bamenda (15.3%), while no studies were identified in the South, East, and Far North Regions. Among primary school children, the prevalence of malnutrition ranged from 9.25% to 30.2%. The highest prevalence of overweight and obesity (38.4%) was observed among secondary school students. Stunting was the most common form of malnutrition among nursery and primary school children. Dietary patterns were characterized by low consumption of fruits and vegetables, with up to 57.3% of children reporting no fruit intake over a 7-day period. These findings highlight significant regional disparities and the coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition among school-aged children in Cameroon. Strengthening nutrition education, improving food environments, and implementing context-specific interventions are essential to address the double burden of malnutrition without exacerbating existing health risks.