Nutrition status and associated factors among children in public primary schools in Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya

EW Mwaniki, AN Makokha

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition among school-age children is due to inadequacies in one or more of the three main preconditions for good nutrition: food, care and health. Children stunted at school age are likely to have been exposed to poor nutrition since early childhood. Interventions for school age children can supplement efforts to reduce levels of stunting in the preschool years.

Objective: To assess the nutrition status and associated risk factors of children in selected public primary schools in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi.

Methods: Descriptive cross sectional design was used. 208 students aged 4-11years of both gender were randomly selected from four public primary schools in Dagoretti Division. Data was collected from school registers and directly questioning the students, parents /guardians.

Results: Among the children surveyed, 24.5% were stunted, 14.9% underweight and 9.7% were wasted. There were more boys than girls who were stunted. Breakfast contributed 10.2% of the daily energy intake. Few children consumed foods from more than four food groups. Incidence of diarrhea, colds/coughs increased the risk of stunting and underweight.

Conclusion: Consumption of food which is inadequate in required calories and from less than four varieties of food groups by the children were important predictors of malnutrition.