ABSTRACT

The nutritional well-being of infants and young children is positively and negatively affected by the interaction between food intake, health and care. This study examined socio-economic factors influencing food consumption pattern and anthropometric status of preschool children (2-5 years) in Bende L.G.A. Abia State. Multi-stage random sampling was used to select communities and households. A total number of 228 children aged 2- 5 years, were used in the study. Data were collected using questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. Frequency and percentages were used to analyze personal data of the children and socio economic variables of their parents. Chi Square was used to measure association between socio-economic status of parent and anthropometric indices, and feeding pattern of the children and their parents income level. The result showed that 51.3% were females. The age of the children indicated that, 72.4% were 5 years. On the type of family, the result showed that, majority (90.4%) were from monogamous families. Majority (89.9%) of the children lived with both parents, and the family size showed that 85.5% were 2 to 4 persons in their households. The children’s mothers and fathers ages indicated that, 69.7% were between 31 to 40 years. On the food consumption patterns of the children, the number of times eaten by the children showed that, majority (89.9%) ate 3 times a day, and 61.0% of their mothers determined what they ate. The sources of family food showed that, 69.7% purchased from the market and more than half (59.2%) were fed by their mothers. Meals usually skipped by the children showed that, 48.4% did not skip meals. There were positive association between all the socio-economic variables of their parents, mothers education (x2 = 359.690, 0.45), fathers education (x2 = 405.233, 0.014), mothers occupation (x2 = 456.883, 0.028), fathers occupation (x2 = 456.883, 0.028), family income (x2 = 390.919, 0.043) and family monthly expenditure (x2 = 432.438, 0.035) and the children’s anthropometric status. There were positive associations between income levels of the parents, number of times eaten in a day (x2 = 405.233, 0.014), factors that determined food eaten (x2 = 200.271, 0.025), the child favourite meals (x2 = 50.919, 0.04) and food consumption pattern of the children. In conclusion, factor that determine food eaten, sources of family food and food consumption pattern of the children are income level of the parents.