Nutritional Status among School Girls in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Published: 03-09-2024
Page: 799-805
Issue: 2024 - Volume 3 [Issue 4]
Onokpite Emmanuel
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University Abraka Delta State, Nigeria.
Solomon M Uvoh *
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences University of Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria.
Kiridi Emily Gabriel E
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences College of Health Sciences Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island Amassoma Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Odikeme E David
Department of Community Health Sciences, Bayelsa State College of Health Sciences Ogbia Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Ekpokimi A Experience
Department of Community Health Sciences, Bayelsa State College of Health Sciences Ogbia Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the relationship between anthropometric indices of school girls and their regular nutritional dietary intake.
Methods: This research adopted a cross-sectional community- based study to assess school girls of age 5-10yrs using well-structured questionnaires, weight scale, meter rule and WHO classification etc to obtain the required parameters for this study in Ogbia LGA.
Results: The outcome from this study showed a decreased percentage of vegetables/vitamins dietary food intake resulting in low anthropometric indices among the female school children in the study population. The regular consumption of carbohydrates nutritional dietary intake was higher (36.54%) compared with the low intake of proteins (3.08%) and combination of carb/pro (28.85%) among school girls age 5yrs and others as well in Ogbia LGA.The anthropometric indices of all the ages (5-10yrs) studied was low with a p value of <0.05 compared with the WHO BMI standard for the specified ages. Furthermore, the percentile weight for age was 43.07% <1st, 2.31% 3rd and 3.83% 15th percentile respectively compared with those that fall within the normal green zone 21.55%. However, 14.62%, 13.85% and 0.77% were in the 85th, 97th and above 97th percentile. The prevalence of malnutrition observed in this study was 35.38% severe and 4.61% very severe with moderate being 6.92% and mild 3.08% compared with 50.01% normal among the children that are free from PEM.
Conclusion: The percentage girls not regularly engaging in normal nutritional dietary intake ie absence of vegetables/vitamins are overwhelmingly high which account for their low BMI status and a neck to neck percentage PEM compared with children free from PEM in the study population. Hence, we hereby encourage the government to take a pro-active measures through the ministry of health to set up enlightenment campaign strategies in these remote communities on the usefulness of regularly including vegetables/vitamins in their diets for normal physiological healthy growth among children as this will help to increase their longevity and improve their academic and psychological performance in life.
Keywords: Age, BMI, diet, girls, malnutrition