On Friday, at the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN), project manager Guy Ikambo Wanghi defended a doctoral thesis in medicine entitled "Cross-sectional and quasi-experimental observational study of childhood overweight and obesity in schools in Kinshasa."

This thesis, which earned him the degree of doctor in biomedical sciences, aimed, on the one hand, to identify the determinants and the easy diagnostic tool of excess weight in Congolese children and adolescents and, on the other hand, to research the impact of a five-month intervention based on diet or physical activity for body weight control.

The recipient has provided solutions to the increasing incidence of excess weight in childhood characterized by psychological variations in corpulence given that

The tool using growth curves remains very controversial and the implementation of WHO therapeutic guidelines remains difficult to apply in local conditions.

He carried out two studies in a school environment in Kinshasa, the first of which was cross-sectional, with 1,442 randomly selected pupils, and another quasi-experimental with 84 overweight subjects, to bring out scientific results and propose recommendations.

Need for training of doctors and psychologists for obesity prevention

In this doctoral dissertation, the applicant recommended that governments train doctors, psychologists, nurses and teachers in the screening and prevention of obesity in schools.

They must be able, he argued, to screen for childhood obesity, detect the early onset of obesity and actively participate in decisions regarding children's nutrition in collaboration with dieticians.

This thesis also recommended identifying children at risk of obesity for therapy, encouraging physical exercise program and a decrease in sedentary behavior in those who are overweight and obese.

The recommendations include regulating food imports and controlling advertising messages, as well as establishing a psychological care center with behavioral therapy for overweight and obese children.

Professors Ernest Sumaili Kiswaya of UNIKIN and Leslle Lytle of a European university were respectively the promoter and co-promoter of this thesis, while the UNIKIN Budget Administrator, Professor Yvonne Duagani chaired this academic session on behalf of the Rector. ACP/Mat/Kab/May