Journal of Community Nutrition

The Korean Society of Community Nutrition (대한지역사회영양학회)
권호 표지

Assessment of Anthropometry, Nutritional Compositions and Contribution of School Meals to the Daily Nutrient Requirements of Primary School Children from Rural Communities

  • Ijarotimi O. Steve (Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology) ;
  • Omotayo S. Amos (Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology)
  • Published : 2006.12.31
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Abstract

The study aims to evaluate the nutritional status and influence of school meal intakes on RDA of primary school children in Akure community, Ondo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 728 primary school children aged between 6 and 15 years. Data were collected using interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires. The questionnaires collect information on demographic characteristics and home dietary intake of the subjects. The heights and weights of the children were measured using a standard procedure and height-far-age and weight-far-height z-score were determined. The children's school meal intakes were weighed for 4 days and samples were collected for chemical analysis. The results showed that 37.8% of the children were not wasted, 35.7% mildly wasted, 18.7% moderately wasted and 7.8% severely wasted. Also, 57.8% were not stunted, 29.3% mildly stunted, 11.0% moderately stunted and 1.9% were severely stunted. The subjects' home dietary intakes showed that 73.6% ate starchy food only, 19.9% ate protein based food, while 11.6% and 11.5% consumed fruits/vegetables and snacks to complement home meals respectively. The chemical composition of school meal was energy 379 - 413kcal, moisture content 5.9 -7.3g, carbohydrate 56.5 - 69.4g, fat 4.6 - 12.7g, crude fiber 0.1 - 2.4g, ash content 3.6 - 8.5g and protein 14.9 - 22.3g. The mineral contents were calcium 45.9 - 59.2mg, sodium 5004 - 59.6mg, zinc 2.3 - 3.1mg, magnesium 55.0 - 61.6mg, potassium 55.3 - 69.3mg, copper 0.2 - 0.3 mg, while others 1.3 - 1.9mg, 243 - 659mg and 831 - 9,510mg were iron, phosphorous and vitamin-A respectively. The contribution of school meals to subjects' RDA was within 2.9% and 1540%. In summary, school meal intake contributed positively to the RDA and nutritional status of the school children.

Keywords

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