Hassan Aguenaou

Ibn Tofaïl University - CNESTEN (Kénitra-Rabat) · RDC-Nutrition "Regional Designated Center of Nutrition Associated with AFRA/IAEA"; Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food (URAC 39) Associated CNRST, Kénitra-Rabat, Morocco; www.plan-francophone.com

Cancer is a complex disease stemming from multiple interactions between genes and the environment, and is regarded as a primary contributor to global mortality. It is a condition in which the irregular and uncontrolled growth and proliferation of certain cells interferes with normal tissue function and has the potential to spread throughout the bod...

The initial colonization of the intestine represents one of the most profound immunological exposures faced by the newborn. During the first three years of life, the intestinal microbial composition undergoes significant changes. At birth, the digestive tract is rapidly colonized by microorganisms of maternal and environmental origins. Microbiota's...

Unlabelled: The World Food Conference in 1974 emphasized the significance of establishing global nutrition surveillance to monitor and address nutritional challenges effectively. However, many countries, especially in the EMRO region, continue to encounter substantial difficulties in regularly generating disaggregated data on nutrition. The curren...

The newborn's bacterial primo-colonization is influenced by the delivery mode and the mother's gut microbiota. Our study aimed to evaluate the composition of gut microbiota in a cohort of preterm newborns. A prospective cohort study was conducted at the National Reference Center for Neonatology and Nutrition, CHU IBN SINA Children's Hospital in Rab...

The establishment of the newborn's gut microbiota is a major physiological phenomenon and a critical period for the child's future health. The composition and complexity of the gut microbiota vary considerably among individuals and across different regions of the intestine. It is essentially composed of a diverse community of bacteria, forming a co...

Trans fatty acids (TFAs) consumption has been unequivocally associated with several adverse health effects. In fact, consuming TFAs in amounts greater than 2% of total energy intake (TEI) is associated with a 23% increase in cardiovascular risk. To reduce TFA-related morbidity and mortality, several countries have imposed voluntary or mandatory mea...

Background: Excessive sodium (Na) and insufficient potassium (K) intake contribute to a high risk of cardiovascular events. Morocco lacks data on actual Na and K intake in adults. We estimated mean Na and K intake in a Moroccan population of adults residing in the Northwest region using 24-h urinary excretion and examined their association with bl...

Objective: To develop and validate equations that estimate total body water (TBW) and fat-free mass (FFM) in adults using anthropometric measurements. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 178 adults (77 men and 101 women; aged 18-59 years). Participants were distributed by sex and age groups, and then randomly assigned to equal t...

Background: Direct anthropometric measurements to assess body composition have limited precision and/or specificity. Objectives: The study aimed to develop a prediction equation based on anthropometric measurements for estimating total body water (TBW) in a healthy population. Methods: TBW was assessed using the deuterium dilution method in 39...

This systematic review aims to identify and characterize existing national sugar reduction initiatives and strategies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. For this purpose, a systematic review of published and grey literature was performed. A comprehensive list of search terms in the title/abstract/keyword fields was used to cover the four followin...

Background: Assessment of protein quality is necessary to satisfy the nutritional needs of populations across the world. In addition to indispensable amino acid (IAAs) composition, protein digestibility is a major component of IAA bioavailability, playing a crucial role in human health and affecting the linear growth of children. Objectives: Thi...

Background Sedentary behavior (SB) in children is related to different health outcomes such as overweight and cardio-metabolic diseases. These negative effects have been widely supported by evidence. However, no data on sedentary time (ST) among Moroccan children has been available, yet. Therefore, the present study examined gender and grade differ...

Background Physical activity is associated with improved psychological well-being and lower levels of cardio metabolic risk factors, diabetes, obesity among children and adolescent. The purpose of the study was 1- to examine gender, type of day, and age grade differences in objectively PA; 2- to examine the attainment of recommended physical activi...

Background: Rubella is an acute viral disease generally mild in its clinical manifestations. However, it is most serious for pregnant women due to the high frequency of congenital abnormalities that it causes, known as congenital rubella syndrome. This study aimed to determine rubella seroprevalence among a group of Moroccan parturients and survey...

Introduction: evaluating the sodium content of staple foods is essential for implementing a salt reduction strategy. In Morocco, bread is a major contributor to sodium intake. However, currently few studies have been carried out to assess the salt content in bread. Our study aimed to estimate the sodium and salt content of white bread available in...

Abstract Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) affects nearly 1.9 million people worldwide. Iodine deficiency (ID) remains a public health concern not only for pregnant women, but for women of reproductive age (WRA) as well. This study was planned to evaluate the iodine status and the prevalence of iodine deficiency in a nationally represen...

As scientists working and publishing in the field of front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) for many years, we have read with interest and concern the narrative review regarding their effectiveness by Muzzioli et al. [...]

Background: Although vitamin D deficiency has been studied in various populations, there are few data on its prevalence and associated factors among Moroccan women. Aim: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and investigate its association with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone...

Introduction: awareness and knowledge of toxoplasmosis are particularly important, as an intervention point for the management of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness and knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis in a sample of postpartum Moroccan women. Methods: this was a cross-sectional descriptive survey carried out among...

Abstract Introduction: obesity and anemia remain global public health problems, having major negative effects on human health. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of anemia and investigate its association with overweight/obesity and excess body fat among Moroccan adolescents. Methods: a total of 292 adolescents aged 11-17 years were recruited. Body...

Purpose Sugar consumption in Morocco is high, which is involved in triggering serious health conditions. Hence, assessing the recognition threshold of sweet taste among Moroccans is strongly needed. This study aims to determine the threshold of sweet taste recognition and to evaluate differences by sex, age and body mass index among a sample of Mor...

Obesity is a real public health problem whose prevalence continues to increase throughout the world. It affects all age groups and does not spare pregnant women. This work aims to determine the prevalence of obesity and to study its association with maternal and neonatal characteristics and the morbidity profile of pregnancy. This is a descriptive...

Background: Excessive sodium (Na) intake and low potassium (K) intake are associated with adverse cardiovascular health outcomes. Morocco lacks data on actual Na and K intake in adults. The aim of this study was to estimate the mean intake of Na and K in a Moroccan population of adults using the 24-h urinary excretion and to examine their associati...

Background: Early-onset neonatal sepsis is recognized as a common and serious problem for neonates. The clinical manifestations of neonatal sepsis are nonspecific and have varied clinical features. Therefore, their diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical presentation, the use of biological tests, and anamnestic arguments. The present study...

Prévention et contrôle des maladies non transmissibles : Implémentation de la stratégie nationale de réduction du sel au Maroc.

Background Available data suggest that polyphenols from tea can inhibit iron absorption from ferric sodium EDTA (NaFeEDTA), but previous studies were done in small groups of mostly nonanemic adults. Morocco recently introduced national wheat flour fortification with NaFeEDTA, but tea is the national beverage and is consumed with most meals. Object...

Background: The front of pack nutrition label Nutri-Score, intended to help consumers orient their choices towards foods that are more favorable to health, was developed in France and applied in several European countries. Consideration is underway for its use in Morocco. This study aims to assess Moroccan consumers' perception and objective under...

The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is experiencing a nutrition transition, characterized by the emergence of overnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies. No previous study has comparatively examined nutrient intake in adults across countries in the EMR. This review examined the adequacy of nutrients in adults living in the EMR. Moreover, it a...

Introduction et but de l’étude La perte de poids est une caractéristique de progression de l’infection au virus de l’immunodéficience humain [VIH] dont la perte de masse maigre est l’une des complications courantes. L’évaluation clinique de l’état nutritionnel est recommandée par l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) chez les VIH positifs. L’im...

Introduction et but de l’étude L’épidémie de coronavirus-2 du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère (SRAS-CoV-2), à l’origine de la maladie à coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), présente une menace importante et urgente pour la santé mondiale. Cette infection virale alarmante, déclarée pandémique par l’OMS en février 2020, a entraîné des millions de patients...

Introduction et but de l’étude À l’échelle mondiale, l’incidence de l’obésité ne cesse d’augmenter. Cette dernière est définie comme une accumulation excessive de graisse dans le corps. Trente-neuf pour cent des adultes âgés de 18 ans et plus étaient en surpoids en 2016 et 13 % étaient obèses. L’objectif de ce travail est d’évaluer l’association du...

Historically, mountainous areas of Morocco have been affected by endemic goiter and severe iodine deficiency. In 1995, Morocco legislated salt iodization to reduce iodine deficiency. There has been no national survey of iodine nutrition in school-age children for nearly 3 decades. Our aim was to assess iodine nutrition in a national sample of 6–12-...

The intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) of the term new-born is a rare pathology; the prevalence is estimated at 2% of live births. The clinical manifestations are variable and not specific. The causes of ICH are multiple and often intricate, the main pathophysiological mechanisms are deregulations of cerebral flow, obstruction of the vessels or intrava...

Anemia is a multifactorial condition, with a complex etiology that involves nutritional and non-nutritional factors. The misconception that iron deficiency is equivalent to anemia may mask the need to address other potential causative factors. This review paper aims to (1) assess the burden of anemia vs. iron deficiency anemia (IDA) amongst women o...

Introduction: Morocco launched a national salt reduction strategy in 2019. The commitment of bakeries is key in the success of this strategy. However, the evaluation of such a commitment is not yet done. This study aims to examine knowledge of bakers about the national strategy of salt reduction and evaluate their commitment in implementing the sp...

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of an infant's life is an important factor for their optimal growth and health. Breastfeeding also has maternal benefits and can assist with postpartum weight loss. As shown by previous studies, postpartum weight retention can contribute to obesity. Objective: To quantify the human...

Background: Excessive sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure. Estimating sodium intake is difficult. The 24-h urine collection is currently the recommended method for estimating intake but cumbersome for large population studies. Predictive model to estimate sodium intake based on single spot urine were developed, but showed inconsistency w...

Good nutrition plays an essential role in our health. It decreases the risk of developing certain chronic diseases and thus increases life expectancy. This study is the first of its kind in Morocco, its objective is to determine the nutrient composition of the most consumed Moroccan culinary recipes. Thus, thanks to the calculation of the nutriscor...

This study is part of the national programme for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and was technically supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency. It aimed to determine the factors leading to the cessation of EBF among mothers living in areas benefiting from an important breastfeeding promotion actions in southern Benin. The p...

In Morocco, the promotion of maternal and child health is an important axis of the strategy to fight against the repercussions of the covid-19 pandemic. We aim to explore knowledge, practices and mental health of breastfeeding mothers. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the maternity hospital center in Rabat. The data has been collected throu...

In addition to age, gender, body weight, hormonal status as well as certain physiological and pathological states, other factors exert considerable effects on calcium (Ca) retention and therefore on its urinary excretion. Among these other factors, many dietary nutrients have all been discussed as factors affecting urinary Ca through different stud...

The outbreak of COVID-19 still represents a real risk for the increased death rate for the whole of human kind. In this context, the present research work aims at describing evolutionary data in a population of hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients based on selected epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical data at admission. In this cross-secti...

The analysis of the various reports of the epidemiological situation of obesity and diabetes in Morocco with in particular the reports of the WHO, the High Commission for Planning of Morocco (HCP) and the report of the American Mc Kinsey Study Bureau in 2014, shows a sharp increase in diabetes, obesity and their morbidity and mortality. With a Moro...

Background: Cancer is a multifactorial disease involving individual, behavioral and environmental factors that can contribute to its onset. More than 40% of cancers are estimated to be attributable to avoidable risk factors, particularly diet, physical activity, weight status, and alcohol consumption. Aim: To provide insight into the role of weight...

Background: Cancer is a multifactorial disease involving individual, behavioral and environmental factors that can contribute to its onset. More than 40% of cancers are estimated to be attributable to avoidable risk factors, particularly diet, physical activity, weight status, and alcohol consumption. Aim: To provide insight into the role of weight...

Background: Cancer is a multifactorial disease involving individual, behavioral and environmental factors that can contribute to its onset. More than 40% of cancers are estimated to be attributable to avoidable risk factors, particularly diet, physical activity, weight status, and alcohol consumption. Aim: To provide insight into the role of weight...

Purpose This study aims to determine the threshold of salt taste recognition and to evaluate differences by sex, age and body mass index (BMI) among a sample of Moroccan population. Design/methodology/approach A simple-blind experimental study was conducted among 201 healthy subjects to determine the threshold of salt taste recognition and to eval...

Background The epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), presents a significant and urgent threat to global health. This alarming viral infection, declared as pandemic by the WHO in February 2020, has resulted millions of infected patients and thousands of deaths around th...

Background: University life is a crucial period when dietary habits and lifestyle behaviours are formed and may have longlasting effects on the development of obesity and related chronic diseases. Aim: To investigate the association of overweight/obesity with dietary habits, physical activity, screen time and sleep duration among university student...

Background: University life is a crucial period when dietary habits and lifestyle behaviours are formed and may have long-lasting effects on the development of obesity and related chronic diseases. Aim: To investigate the association of overweight/obesity with dietary habits, physical activity, screen time and sleep duration among university stu...

Over the last few decades, there have been significant dietary and lifestyle changes worldwide. In Morocco, these changes have led to serious nutritional disorders and increased risk of morbidity and mortality particularly among vulnerable groups such as women of childbearing age. We aimed to assess the average daily energy and macronutrient intake...

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is a rare disorder of the newborn or very young child which combines a rapidly expanding red-purple vascular tumor and a hematological syndrome dominated by major thrombocytopenia and more moderate consumption of fibrinogen and coagulation. This syndrome is always considered serious due to hemorrhages related to coagulopat...

Obese subjects have shown a preference for dietary lipids. A recent collection of evidence has proposed that a variant in the CD36 gene plays a significant role in this pathway. We assessed the association between the orosensory detection of a long-chain fatty acid, i.e. oleic acid (OA), and genetic polymorphism of the lipid taste sensor CD36 in ob...

Aim: After a traumatic event, the person can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the purpose of the study is to assess the prevalence of PTSD in adolescents in public middle schools of the prefecture of Salé in Morocco and study anxiety and depression which are the comorbid disorders of the PTSD. The survey was carried out from March to...

Aim After a traumatic event, the person can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the purpose of the study is to assess the prevalence of PTSD in adolescents in public middle schools of the prefecture of Salé in Morocco and study anxiety and depression which are the comorbid disorders of the PTSD. Methods 523 students were selected by the...

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, calcium (Ca) deficiency represents one of the most important deficiencies of all micronutrients. When associated with vitamin D deficiency, it constitutes a major health issue, responsible for many functional diseases especially osteoporosis and fracture risk at the later life. In the Moroccan population, data on Ca deficienc...

Le neuroblastome est une tumeur solide commune de l´enfance mais sa présentation néonatale notamment dans sa forme thoracique reste rare. Le diagnostic différentiel inclut malformations pulmonaires congénitales, pneumonies et atélectasies. Nous rapportons un cas de neuroblastome congénital révélé par une détresse respiratoire géré initialement comm...

The use of cooking salt (sodium chloride) for bread preparation is due to several important sensory and technological properties. Even considered as an essential micronutrient and a salty taste stimulus, a significant dietary sodium intake is positively correlated with high blood pressure levels and some heart diseases. Recently, Morocco has adopte...

Background: The use of cooking salt (sodium chloride) for bread preparation is due to several important sensory and technological properties. Even considered as an essential micronutrient and a salty taste stimulus, a significant dietary sodium intake is positively correlated with high blood pressure levels and some heart diseases. Recently, Morocc...

In Morocco, postpartum women systematically receive a single, high dose of vitamin A (VA; 200 000 IU) within the first month of giving birth and vegetable oil is fortified to increase the VA intake. The efficacy of this combined approach of supplementation and fortification for increasing maternal VA status during lactation is not known. The purpos...

Micronutrient deficiencies are a public health problem at the national and the international levels. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the status of minerals and vitamins in women’s population of reproductive age living in an urban area in Morocco. The study involved 542 women aged 19-49 recruited in several health centers. Socio-economic (S...

Résumé Au Maroc, la pratique de l’allaitement maternel exclusif jusqu’à 6 mois a connu un déclin inquiétant au cours de ces dernières décennies. Cette étude vise à étudier les connaissances et les pratiques de mères et à évaluer l’impact de l’éducation post natal sur la durée d’allaitement maternel exclusif. Dans ce contexte, nous avons mené une ét...

Hepatic hepcidin synthesis is stimulated by inflammation but inhibited during iron deficiency anemia (IDA). In humans, the relative strength of these opposing signals on serum hepcidin and the net effect on iron absorption and systemic iron recycling is uncertain. In this prospective, 45-day study, in young women (n=46; age 18-49 years) with or wit...