Assessment Of Anthropometric, Dietary Pattern And Micronutrient Status Of School Children Aged 6 – 15 Years In Ede-Oballa, Nsukka L.G.A., Enugu State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Reduction in the under-five morbidity and mortality rates as a result of improved nutrition and health care services has increased the number of school going children. Assessment of the school child’s nutritional status becomes imperative in ensuring that the gains are sustained so that they can benefit maximally from education. This work assessed the anthropometric, dietary pattern and micronutrient status of school children aged 6 – 15 years in a rural community of Enugu State, Nigeria. The methodology involved a descriptive cross sectional design. The respondents were 450 primary and secondary school children randomly selected out of 2366 school children from the ten schools in Ede-Oballa. Multistage random sampling technique was used in the selection of the study sample. Data were collected using questionnaire, clinical examination, anthropometry, 3-day weighed food intake, chemical analysis of commonly consumed local foods, blood and stool analyses. The questionnaire elicited information on the socio-economic background of the respondents, the children’s household and health characteristics/practices, their snacks and meal pattern and the consumption pattern/preference profile of micronutrient rich foods. Clinical examination was conducted to identify manifestations of nutritional problems in the children. Weight-for-age, height-for-age and body mass index (BMI)-for-age were anthropometric indices assessed. A 3-day weighed food intake was used to obtain data on the children’s daily energy and nutrient intakes. These were compared with FAO/WHO daily recommended energy and nutrient intakes (RNI). Aliquots of commonly consumed local foods were analysed chemically using standard analytical methods. Blood samples were collected using standard methods and preserved at – 200C prior to analysis. Haemoglobin was assessed using cyanmethaemoglobin method. Serum ferritin and serum zinc were analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Creatine reactive protein and vitamin A were assessed by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Thin film method was used for malaria whereas wet mount direct method was used for stool analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 16.0). Duncan’s new multiple range tests were used to separate and compare group means. Pearson’s correlation coefficient, independent sample t-test and Chi square were used to detect associations between variables with P