Author : Akor francis, okolo seline and okolo angela
Keyword : Nutritional status, school feeding, jos , anthropometry
Subject : Pediatrics
Article Type : Original article (research)
DOI : 10.3923/pjn.2010.1166.1170
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Abstract : Nutritional assessment of newly enrolled school children is needful to identify children with poor nutritional status. Poor nutritional as evidenced by poor growth and small stature could affect development, intellectual performance and achievement. Seven hundred and sixty-four apparently healthy newly enrolled pupils were randomly selected using a multistage proportionate sampling from both public and private schools. Heights and weights were measured using standard methods, Undernutrition was determined using Z scores less than – 2 standard deviations of the NCHS/WHO international reference standard. Pupils from private schools were significantly taller (118.2 ± 6.52) than their public-school counterparts (115.7±8.44), p =001. The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 10.3, 11.1 and 2.4% respectively. Stunting occurred in a higher proportion of boys than girls. Poor nutritional status was significantly commoner in public schools compared to private school pupils. These findings suggest that malnutrition (underweight, wasting and stunting) is not uncommon among newly enrolled school children and it underscores the need for institution and sustenance of a food program among school children.
Article by : Francis Akor
Article add date : 2021-01-24
How to cite : Akor francis, okolo seline and okolo angela. (2021-January-24). Nutritional status of newly enrolled primary school children in jos-plateau, nigeria. retrieved from https://www.openacessjournal.com/abstract/591