ABSTRACT
This study
examines dietary intake and anthropometric status of preschool children (aged
2-5 years) in Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State, focusing on the
prevalence of undernutrition and factors influencing growth. A structured
questionnaire made up of four sections was used to gather information on the
personal data of the children and their parents‘ socio-economic status. Data
obtained from the anthropometric measurements was analyzed using the WHO Anthro
survey analyzer based on weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for height.
The result obtained reveals that the socio-demographic characteristics of
participants were majority (62.8%) male with only 37.2% being female. Majority
(67.8%) fall within the 4–5 years age group, while 32.3% are between 2–3 years.
A significant proportion of parents/guardians fall in the age range of 30–40
years (57.2%), while 42.8% are below 30 years. The dietary Habits of
Respondents shows that majority (100%) consumed cereals, roots, and tubers
within a 24-hour dietary recall period. Cereals, roots, and tubers are staple
foods in many regions, providing carbohydrates essential for energy. Only 28.8%
of respondents consumed other fruits and vegetables, while 71.1% did not.
Dietary habit of respondent showed that majority (82.2%) of respondents
reported always consuming breakfast, while 17.8% only sometimes ate breakfast
and most (47.2%) children consume three meals per day, with 43.9% eating four
or more meals. Food frequency of respondents showed that among the cereal and
grain groups , few (42.5%) consumed
akamu/pap daily, 59.4% and 23.9% consumes rice regularly and daily, while 67.2%
consumes bread regularly while legumes such as beans are predominantly consumed
occasionally (58.3%) or regularly (23.9%). Furthermore, crayfish (93.3%) was
consumed regularly. Food frequency of respondents revealed that majority
(58.3%) of children consumed powdered milk occasionally, while 23.9% consumed
it regularly while rare consumption (60.6%) of tinned
milk dominated, with occasional use (39.4%). It is recorded that nutrition
education programmes should be introduced in schools, in order to increase
fruits and vegetable intakes with productions and nutritions.
CHIDOZIE (2025). Dietary Intake And Anthropometric Status Of The Preschool Children (Aged 2-5 Years) At Udenu Local Government In Enugu State:- Chidozie, Vivianmary C. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Aug 22, 2025, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-intake-and-anthropometric-status-of-the-preschool-children-aged-2-5-years-at-udenu-local-government-in-enugu-state-chidozie-vivianmary-c-7-2
CHIDOZIE. "Dietary Intake And Anthropometric Status Of The Preschool Children (Aged 2-5 Years) At Udenu Local Government In Enugu State:- Chidozie, Vivianmary C" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 10 Jul. 2025, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-intake-and-anthropometric-status-of-the-preschool-children-aged-2-5-years-at-udenu-local-government-in-enugu-state-chidozie-vivianmary-c-7-2. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
CHIDOZIE. "Dietary Intake And Anthropometric Status Of The Preschool Children (Aged 2-5 Years) At Udenu Local Government In Enugu State:- Chidozie, Vivianmary C". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 10 Jul. 2025. Web. 22 Aug. 2025. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-intake-and-anthropometric-status-of-the-preschool-children-aged-2-5-years-at-udenu-local-government-in-enugu-state-chidozie-vivianmary-c-7-2 >.
CHIDOZIE. "Dietary Intake And Anthropometric Status Of The Preschool Children (Aged 2-5 Years) At Udenu Local Government In Enugu State:- Chidozie, Vivianmary C" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2025). Accessed 22 Aug. 2025. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-intake-and-anthropometric-status-of-the-preschool-children-aged-2-5-years-at-udenu-local-government-in-enugu-state-chidozie-vivianmary-c-7-2