ABSTRACT

 Food security i£an important dimension of well-being which tends to affect health and nutritional status of populations. This cross sectional study was carried out to assess the food security and anthropometric status of preschool children in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State. A total of 253 pre-school children were selected using simple random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-economic characteristics and food habit of the respondents. Food security status of the Tespondents was assessed using the USDA guide for measuring household fbod_ security while dietary diversity was scored using WHO standard. Anthropometric indices of the preschool children were collected and grouped using WHO anthro. Data obtained were analyzed with SPSS version 20.0, using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and chi-square. The result showed that 54.9% ofthe children were 2-4 persons in their homes. About 46.1% and 41.1% oftheir mothers and fathers were graduates. Most of the children adopted good eating habit. Slightly above half (55.7%) of the children were food insecure with moderate hunger where as 26.5% were^fbod insecurity with hunger severe. However, 17.8% were food insecure without hunger. Majority (95.2%) consumed more than four food groups. Prevalence of wasting/stunting and underweight was low among 3.6%, 8.3% and 2.4% ofthe children. However, prevalence of overweight was high probably due to their food insecurity levels that Lad predisposed them to excessive carbohydrate consumption. There was no significant relationship between nutritional status ofthe children and their food security * status, dietary diversity scores. Similarly, no significant (p>0.05) relationship. was fbilrid between weight-fbr-height, height-fbr-age and socioeconomic status ofthe children's parents. Household size and occupation ofthe children's parents significant, determine their weight-fbr-age. Similarly, parents educational levels and occupational status significant (p<0.05) determine the food security levels ofthe children. There is need for the parents to diversify the food given to their children, by including foods from the egg, fruits and vegetable groups.