Nutritional status of primary school children in Ilorin-West LGA, Kwara State, Nigeria.
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Date
2020-03
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Abstract
Background: Malnutrition in children remains a global health problem in developing
countries including Nigeria. Nearly half of all under-five deaths in Africa and South-East
Asia can be traceable to malnutrition. The nutritional status of primary school children
in Ilorin-West Local Government Area of Kwara State is not known, therefore the study
set out to determine this and its associated factors.
Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between
February and May 2016 across 16 primary schools in Ilorin-West LGA. Four hundred
and eighty school children aged 6-12 years were recruited into the study through a multi-
stage sampling technique. Anthropometry was taken following standard procedures;
weight was measured with a digital bathroom weighing scale (Camry, Model: EB9323H,
China), while height was measured with a stadiometer (Seca Model: 213, USA).
Anthropometric indices were determined. Data collected was analysed using the IBM
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Tm version 20.0 for windows.
Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting and obesity were 3.0%, 5.0%,
4.4% and 1.0%, respectively. Stunting was more prevalent among female pupils, pupils
attending the public primary schools and children of mothers with no formal education,
while obesity was more prevalent in the private primary schools.
Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity recorded in this study confirms the emerging
concept of ‘the double burden of malnutrition,’ and poses a public health challenge to
policy makers. It is recommended that community nutrition enlightenment campaigns
be strengthened and possibly school meals be re-introduced to both private and public
schools.
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14. Olasinde, Y., Adesiyun, O.O., Olaosebikan, R.R, Olasinde, A., Ibraheem, R.M., Popoola, G., Olayonu, D., & Ernest, S.K. (2020). Nutritional status of primary school children in Ilorin-West LGA, Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, 32(1), 103-115.