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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 18, No. 3, 2018, pp. 13602-13616
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Bioline Code: nd18055
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2018, pp. 13602-13616
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NUTRITION STATUS OF CHILDREN IN A WELL-CHILD CLINIC IN LAGOS NIGERIA
Wright, KO; Shogbamimu, Y; Akinbami, AA; Adebisi, R; Senbanjo, IO & Ogbera, AO
Abstract
The burden of malnutrition is evident around the world and more pronounced in
developing countries affecting vulnerable groups such as infants, children under five
years of age and pregnant women. This study assessed the nutritional status of infants
and children aged 9-59 months who visited a well-child clinic at a teaching hospital in
Lagos Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 207 children
consecutively recruited at a well-child clinic in 2013. Data was collected using structured
interviewer-administered questionnaires. Information collected includes the sociodemographic
details of each child and caregiver. In addition, selected anthropometric
measurements, biochemical tests comprising serum ferritin and total blood protein levels
as well as dietary information for each child participant were obtained by trained data
collectors. The sampled children were aged 9-59 months, with slightly over half (53.6%)
being 12 months old and above. There were more female children and the number of
Fathers 84.1%who had attained tertiary education was higher (84.1%) than that of
mothers (76.3%). Serum protein and ferritin levels were less than the normal reference
values in 1.8% and 26.2% of the children respectively, while the prevalence of
underweight children was 4.9% and 8.1% of the children were overweight based on
weight-for-age z-scores. Results from the dietary survey showed that the children
consumed fewer proteins than carbohydrates. Furthermore, only 18.8% and 12.6% of
parents reported feeding their children fruits and vegetables. Significantly more mothers
(97.5%) with tertiary education had children with normal weight for age (P<0.05).
Despite the low prevalence of malnutrition among the sampled population, it was found
that consumption of fruits and vegetables was low, yet these are major sources of vital
micronutrients. Results indicated that the prevalence of malnutrition among the study
group was generally low. Therefore, steps must be taken to ensure nutrition specific and
nutrition sensitive intervention programs aimed at improving the nutritional status of
children
Keywords
Nutritional status; assessment; children; weight; ferritin; protein; diet; malnutrition; clinic
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