|
Title: |
|
Authors:
|
|
Abstract: Proper
nutrition accomplished through consumption of diverse foods is very vital as it
provides the foundation for optimum health, strength, cognitive development and
academic achievement, especially during the school age. Aim: this study
aimed at assessing dietary diversity and determinants of nutritional status of
primary school children in Anambra State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: a
descriptive cross-sectional survey involving primary school children from two
selected local government areas (one urban and one rural) of Anambra State was
carried out over a 3-month period. A total of 637 participants comprising 297
males and 340 females were selected using multistage sampling technique.
Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to obtain needed information
from the pupils and their parents/guardians. Anthropometric parameters such as
height and weight were measured using a digital scale and a measuring tape.
Nutritional status was determined using the WHO AnthroPlus version 1.0.4 and
data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Findings
revealed that 69.54% of study participants had medium dietary diversity score
and the least consumed food groups were animal products (7.2%). The results
further showed that 146 pupils (22.92%) had at least one form of malnutrition
with the prevalence of wasting, stunting, overweight and obesity being 6.9%,
5.5%, 5.3% and 5.2%, respectively. Findings also suggested that male gender and
large family size predicted the likelihood of stunting; while urban residence,
attending private school, belonging to high socio-economic class increased the
likelihood of overweight and obesity. Conclusion: The present study showed that a high percentage of the population had normal nutritional status while only a small proportion was stunted, wasted, overweight or obese. Factors such as place of residence, family size, birth order, type of school, parental educational level and socio-economic status had significant impact on nutritional status. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2023.7509 |
|
PDF Download |