Nutritional Status and Academic Performance in School Children in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Children, Schools, Nutrition, Body Max IndexAbstract
Child malnutrition is a major public health and development concern in most of the poor communities leading to high morbidity and mortality. Various studies have highlighted the factors involved. The present study focuses on socioeconomic factors that affect nutritional status in school children in Igabi local government area of Kaduna state. The study was conducted in five selected primary school within three districts Of rigasa, Rigachikun and Sabon Birni. Structured Questionnaire was administered to 100 pupils between the ages of 7-12 years and who are currently in primary 4-6 using simple random sampling, anthropometric measurement was used in determining BMI of the pupils. Nutritional status of stunting underweight, wasting are influenced by parents socioeconomic status., fathers income distribution indicated that only 26% of the population earn 50,000 naira as income per month which is grossly inadequate. Low literacy rate, (%) large families, (%) food insecurity, (%) food safety (%) appears to be the important underlying factors responsible for poor health status of children from low socioeconomic class. It requires economic, political and social changes as well as changes for personal advancement mainly through educational opportunities to improve the nutritional status of the children.