ABSTRACT

 A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 120 pupils in Ikwuano local government area in Abia state. The aim of the study included determination of ic subjects' nutritional status and the influence on their academic performance and dentition. The influence of their birth weight on their nutritional status was ako evaluated. Anthropometric measurements like body weight. height, M UAC and skinfold thickness were employed in this study. Dietary intake was assessed  the use of food frequency questionnaire. The academic performance v as ascertained through the subjects' school records while birth weight was obtained from their immunization/health card. The landings of this study revealed a prevalence of 4.2% malnutrition using mid upper arm circumference. It was bond higher among males than femaes (4.3% vs 3.9%) and in Umuariaga community than in Ohoro community (8.3% vs 0.0%). lIowever, the prevalence o! low birth weight was also found higher in males (14.5%) than lniales (14.O%) and in Umuariaga (16.9%) than in Ohoro (11 .7%) communities. And birth eiiit correlated positively though not significantly (P>0.05) with all the anthropuineirie variables, thus implying that the anthropometric status of the children can be positively influenced by their birth weight. It was also observed that majurit\ ol the children lost their teeth though the number lost was very few (one tooth: 81.30/u while 18.8% lost two teeth). Similarly, the 91.7% of the children \ Oh tooth decay had only one tooth while 8.3% had two of their teeth decayed. I his prevalence of tooth loss and tooth decay may have contributed to the p academic performance of some of the children as reflected in the higher number of children who were in the last 5 positions (35%) and last 1 0 positions (25 .' u) as observed in this study. Their overall food consumption pattern including the snacking food items could have contributed to the good nutritional status. Their parent's occupations as well as family size could also have also contributed to their state of good nutrition.