Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate, through anthropometric characteristics, different forms of malnutrition in boys aged between 10 and 14 years, and living in the South of Tunisia (Gafsa, Gabes, Tozeur). Our empirical investigation was carried out on 1016 boys with 510 non pubertal subjects and 506 pre-pubertal subjects. Age, weight and height were recorded for the entire population according to the norms of the standard World Health Organisation. From these measurements, we determined the nutritional status characterised by three indices: weight for age, height for age and weight for height. Results are expressed as z-score and interpretation of the threshold values remains the same for all indices less than two standard deviations. The analysis of the results showed that 22.6% of boys were underweight, 28.1% were stunted, and 15.4% were in a state of emaciation. However, the comparison according to pubertal stage showed that the three forms of malnutrition especially underweight and wasting were significantly higher in boys before puberty (statural deficits, 8.8% vs. 47.1%; underweight, 28.8% vs. 16.3%; wasting, 26.3% vs. 4.3%, (P<0.001). Southern Tunisian boys, between 10 and 14 years, had an important deficit thrive evidence of a dominant state of malnutrition, which increases with age.