Assessment Of Nutritional Status Of Preschool Children (2 -6 Years) In Rural Areas Of Ikwuano Lga, Abia State

ABSTRACT

The study assessed the nutritional status of pre-school children in rural areas of Ikwuano L. G.A, Abia State. Feeding pattern, Food frequency list, twenty-four-hours dietary recall, weighing food intake and anthropometric measurements were all studied using validated questionnaires. One hundred and sixty respondents were selected by random sampling technique from some of the schools in Ikwuano L. G. A. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The results showed that majority of the respondents skipped meal due to unavailability of the food. The meal skipped was lunch (48.1%). An evaluation of their height — for — age z scores showed that (86%) of the respondents were normal, (11%) were stunted and (3%) were severely stunted. Also weight — for — height - z -score grades showed that (85%) were normal, (9%) were wasted and (6%) were severely wasted. The dietary intake assessment revealed that the energy and vitamin C intake was adequate. Also, it was revealed that garri (56.3%), yam (611%), Rice (63.8%), and plantain (63.1%) are the main staple food consumed by the respondents. The findings show that the prevalence of malnutrition could be attributed to unavailability and unaffordability of food.