Nutritional Status of Pre-School Children in Urban and Rural Areas of Owerri North, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study compared the nutritional status of pre-school children (3-5 years) in urban and rural areas of Owerri North, Imo State, Nigeria. Three specific objectives and two hypotheses guided the study.  Cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sample of 200 pre-school children (100 urban and 100 rural) which were used for the study. Anthropometric, dietary (weighed food intake and 24 hour recall), and socio-economic indices were used. The anthropometric results were compared with the WHO standards using the indicators; stunting, under weight and wasting. Nutrient intake of the children was compared with the RDA. Results showed no significant difference (P<0.05) between the mean height and weight of urban (1.1m and 16.0kg) and rural (1.1m and 15.9kg) children. For height-for-age, 5% of urban and 11% of rural children were stunted, while weight for-height showed that 2% of urban and 17% rural children were wasted. Mean Protein intake was below RDA in rural children (18.4mg) but within the RDA in urban children (23.5mg).  However, Energy, Vitamin A and Iron intakes were below RDA in both areas, whereas Carbohydrate and Vitamin C intakes were above the RDA, among other results. The study concluded that the children in the urban area had more adequate nutrition and recommended nutrition education for mothers, particularly those in rural areas to help them understand the basic nutritional needs of their children, as ignorance of the right kinds of food to eat certainly leads to poor or under-nutrition.