ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ENUGU NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA USING ANTHROPOMETRY

Abstract

The survival and wellbeing of children is largely dependent on nutrition. Malnutrition has long
term consequences in children. Undernutrition in children can lead to impaired cognitive
functioning, decreased productivity and reproductive problems in adulthood. On the other hand,
overnutrition in childhood can progress to obesity in adolescence and adulthood, with its
attendant medical risks. There is paucity of information regarding the nutritional status of
primary school children in Enugu.
The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status of primary school children in Enugu
North LGA, using anthropometry. This was a cross sectional descriptive study involving public
and private primary school children in Enugu North local government area. Subjects were
selected using multistage sampling technique over a 3 month period. A proforma was used to
obtain information which included age, sex, parental education and occupation. Each child’s
socioeconomic class was subsequently obtained using the classification proposed by Olusanya et
al. Weight and height of the participants were measured using a digital scale and a wooden
stadiometer. BMI, WAZ, HAZ and BMI for age z scores were then derived using the new WHO
reference standards.
Three hundred and forty eight (40.4%) children were recruited from public schools while 512
(59.6%) were recruited from private schools. The mean age of the study subjects was 9.18 years
with a male to female ratio of 1:1.7.
Normal nutritional status was observed in 691 (80.3%) subjects. Seven (0.8%) children were
found to be stunted, 26 (3.3%) wasted and 28 (3.3%) underweight. Overweight was observed in
73 (8.5%) subjects, while 35 (4.1%) were obese. Wasting, stunting and underweight were found
to be more prevalent in children aged 12 years (p = 0.001). Males were found to be more obese
than females (p = 0.02). Underweight and wasting were significantly more prevalent in children
of parents with secondary education and below (p < 0.05). On the other hand, overweight and
obesity were more prevalent in children of parents with tertiary education (p < 0.001). Children
of lower socioeconomic class were more stunted, underweight and wasted, while overweight and
obesity were more prevalent in the upper socioeconomic class. Children attending private
schools were more overweight and obese than those in public schools. (p < 0.001)
Majority of the children in Enugu North LGA had normal nutritional status. Factors such as age
and sex, parental education and socioeconomic class had a significant impact on nutritional
status. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent among the children from the upper
socioeconomic class, attending private schools, while stunting and wasting were more in children
attending public schools. There is need for health promotion and nutrition education programmes
for mothers and school children, which will aid in improvement of nutrition

ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ENUGU NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA USING ANTHROPOMETRY