Research Journal of Food and Nutrition Volume 5, Issue 1, 2021, PP 01-20 ISSN 2637-5583 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22259/2637-5583.0501001 The Implication of Socio Economic Status on the Anthropometric and Dietary Intake of School Age Children in Selected Schools in Ogun State Onabanjo O.O1, Quadri J.A1*, Yusuf-Babatunde M. A2, Anisere D.I3, Solaja O. O4 1Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria 1, 2, 3, 4Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: Quadri J.A, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria ABSTRACT This study assessed the anthropometric indices and dietary intake of rural and urban school age children in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ogun state. A multistage sampling technique was used to select one thousand one hundred and thirty two school age children from the three senatorial districts. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-economic characteristics as well as anthropometric measurements (weight, height and mid-upper arm circumference) were taken using standard anthropometric procedures and nutrients intake estimated from the 24-hr dietary recall information. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, correlation, T-test and Chi-Square. Results showed that 36.5% of the respondent families earned less than two hundred thousand naira annually. Also, 43.0% and 62.0% of the mothers had secondary and tertiary education respectively. WASH practices showed that 61.1% of the respondents did not have a place for hand washing and 55.6% used dirty water for washing their hands. The mean weight, height and mid-upper arm circumference of the children were 25.8kg, 1.30m, and 187.29cm respectively. Prevalence of wasting, stunting, underweight and overweight were 2.7, 20.6, 18.5 and 6.1% respectively, with significant gender (p=0.000) and sector (p=0.003) differences. Dietary intake showed that energy intake was above 60% RDA for both sexes and in the LGAs while protein and fat intake for females in urban LGA was above 80% RDA except for some micronutrients that were below 50% RDA (Vit A- 42.5% RDA, Calcium – 45% RDA and Iron – 48.9% RDA). Chi-square showed a significant association between maternal education and stunting (p=0.014), family income and stunting (p=0.038) and wasting (p=0.003) while correlation shows a significant relationship between micronutrients and economic status of the family because stunting was related to vitamin A (p= -0.321) and iron (p= -0.120). This study concluded that a significant relationship exists between socio economic status and nutritional status. Hence, the study recommended a national policy for improved sanitation, school feeding programme and combining such a policy with better access to basic social services including education and health care. Keywords: Anthropometry, WASH, stunting, RDA INTRODUCTION of malnutrition through appropriate identification, this identification is only likely if anthropometric Anthropometric examination is appropriate measurements are regularly done (Muller & means in any research to evaluate health and Krawinkel, 2005; Caulfield et al., 2004). nutritional condition in children and the indices does not only directly reflect the socioeconomic Stunting is a major public health problem in low status of the family, health and social wellbeing and middle-income countries because of its of the population, but also the competence of the association with increased risk of mortality during health care system, and the influence of the childhood (The lancets, 2008 & WHO, 2000). immediate surroundings, and can also predict Apart from causing significant childhood mortality, academic performance (Prista et al., 2003; stunting also leads to significant physical and Srivastava et al., 2012). The three common functional deficits among survivors (WHO, 1995; anthropometric indicators for assessing nutritional The lancets, 2008& WHO, 2000). According to status of children include height-for-age (stunting), reports, stunting contributes to 14.5% of annual weight-for-age (underweight) and weight-for- deaths and 12.6% of disability-adjusted life-years height (wasting) (Wamani et al., 2007). Therefore, (DALYs) in children (The lancets, 2008). Children the impact on reduction in child mortality can be who are stunted complete fewer years of achieved once consideration is given to all levels schooling. This may be due to the fact that Research Journal of Food and Nutrition V5 ● I1 ● 2021 1 The Implication of Socio Economic Status on the Anthropometric and Dietary Intake of School Age Children in Selected Schools in Ogun State stunted children are known to enroll late in This study will provide data necessary for the school (Partnership for Child Development, 1999), planning and implementation of positive strategies perhaps because they are not grown enough to for the resolution of nutrition and health problems enroll. It may also be because they drop out among schoolchildren, particularly those in the rural earlier. This may lead to fewer years of education areas, where most (about 70%) Nigerians live of stunted children when compared with tall (Maziya-Dixon et al., 2004) and which are devoid children. Stunting hinders cognitive growth, of infrastructure and quality educational thereby leading to reduced economic potential. opportunities. It will keep people get informed and Adequate nutrition is essential for development, will serve as reference material to the stakeholders. growth, and health of children (Diethelm et al, This information will be useful in evaluating the 2014). The regular monitoring of nutrition and impact of previous programmes, provide a new data dietary behavior is, consequently, especially set for meaningful and targeted intervention relevant for those age groups. Children need more programmes and projects and generally to nutrients than adults in relation to their body inform policy. weight (Stang et al, 2005), requiring, therefore, a diet providing a higher nutrient density. Due to OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY their lower body weight and their not yet fully General Objective developed immune system, children are also a particularly sensitive and vulnerable group for To find out the implication of socio economic status food contamination, as well as food pollution by on the anthropometric and dietary intake of school undesirable substances, such as pesticides and age children in selected schools in ogun state acrylamide (Cohen et al, 2014). Furthermore, the Specific Objectives energy content of the diet has a relevant impact on the development of overweight and obesity To describe the socio-economic characteristics (Popkin, 2015; Stahl et al, 2009). From a public of school children family health point of view, this aspect is especially To assess the prevalence of malnutrition among relevant, since children with overweight or obesity the school age children. tend to persist overweight or obese during adult To assess the nutrient intakes of the school age life (WHO, 2016; Kindblom et al, 2009), and will children consequently be at higher risk for obesity associated morbidity and mortality (WHO,2016; To establish the relationship between socio Law, 2000; Smith, 2007; Reilly,2011). economic and nutritional status MATERIALS AND METHOD Study Area Figure1. Map of Ogun State 2 Research Journal of Food and Nutrition V5 ● I1 ● 2021 The Implication of Socio Economic Status on the Anthropometric and Dietary Intake of School Age Children in Selected Schools in Ogun State Study Population n = 3.8416x0.24 /0.05² The study population consisted of primary school n = 969 children (7-12 years old) in selected schools in both However, to give room for generalization and urban and rural local governments in Ogun states. retrieved/loss of instrument, sample size was Inclusion Criteria increased to 1200. School age children between 7-12 years The sampling frame consists of school age attending the schools selected for the study. children (7-12years) from twenty four selected School children from primary two to six schools in Ogun state. All the three senatorial districts in Ogun State were considered. Two (one Children whose parents give permission for rural and one urban) local governments are them to participate in the study. randomly selected from each senatorial district. In Children giving ascent participated in the study. each local government, four schools are selected Children who are present at the day of data and in each school, the pupils were stratified collection according to their class. The total number of pupils that are selected in each school was based on the Children not on medication that can affect the population because same percentage of subjects data analyses. was considered in each school. Children with no known case of infection or inflammation The three senatorial districts in Ogun states are selected for the study and 1132 school Sample Size and Sampling Procedures children were considered. Sample Size Determination Two local governments randomly selected in each senatorial districts (one urban and one The sample size was calculated using the formula: rural). Four schools randomly selected in each LGA and total of twenty four (24) schools in all Where n = The minimum sample size the LGAs. t = 1.96 Confidence interval Pupils in each school were stratified into P= 38.1% (prevalence of anemia among school groups according to their class starting from children)