Nutritional status and food consumption patterns of primary school children in orange farm

Abstract

South Africa is regarded as food secure; however, food insecurity and malnutrition are still affecting school-aged children residing mostly in rural areas. This paper reports the nutritional status and consumption patterns of school children from two purposively selected schools located in Orange Farm informal settlement. Data collection methods included socio-demographic background, dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements as well as haematology and biochemical measurements. A socio-demographic questionnaire was used to assess the socio-economic background of the households and a health questionnaire to determine the health background of the caregivers, while a Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (QFFQ) and 24-hour recall were used to determine dietary intake patterns. Anthropometric measurements were obtained in order to find out the prevalence of nutritional status (underweight, wasting and stunting). Haematology and biochemical data collected were used to determine the intake of nutrients and blood levels. Socio-demographic and health questionnaires were captured and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Dietary intake, QFFQ and 24-hour food recall were analysed on the South African Medical Research Council FoodFinder® software program. Anthropometric measurements were captured and calculated using Anthro plus then analysed according to the World Health Organisation growth standards while biochemical measurements were analysed using biochemical analyses instrument and transferred to SPSS. The sociodemographic results indicated that household food insecurity contributed to the poor dietary intake of the children as the majority (71.0%) of the caregivers were unemployed and further confirmed by household income of less than R1000 (75.0%) for five to ten household members (44.4%). Non-communicable diseases were not reported; instead, most of the caregivers had skin problems (22.2%) and also suffered from headaches (20.0%) as well as body skeletal affections. Mainly carbohydrate-based food was consumed with limited vegetable and fruit intakes. Low energy intakes were reported with sufficient intakes of most of the micronutrients. Anthropometric results indicated that 5.0% of the children were underweight, only 2.3% of the children were wasted and 33.3% were stunted. Haematological and biochemical data indicated that all the variables were within the normal ranges and thus did not indicate any nutrients or blood level deficiency. Through the findings of this study and other similar studies conducted in South African communities, it is evident that poor nutrition and dietary intakes are still prevalent in primary school children. This increases awareness and the immediate need for nutritional status and food insecurity to be addressed.

Nutritional Factors and Academic Performance of Primary School Children in an Urban City in Southern Nigeria

“…(Monzani et al, 2019, Smith et al, 2010 Majority of the respondents had high dietary diversity scoring with a higher proportion of them consuming more of fats/oils and plant-based diets of cereal, roots and tubers with limited foods of animal source. The high consumption of cereal-based foods is in agreement with similar studies in Nigeria (Alamu et al, 2019, Bello et al, 2016, Ndukwu, 2014, Nnebue et al, 2016, Okafor, Odo & Onodigbo, 2020 and other African countries (Abdul-Razak & Zakari, 2019, Alamgea et al, 2018, Nyathela & Oldewage-Theron, 2017, Grobbelaar, Napier & Oldwage-Theron, 2013 which is a reflection of foods that constitute the major staples in the study area. The implication of this is that these dietary pattern may not meet the up the nutritional needs of these children.…”

“…We found the full spectrum of malnutrition (stunting, underweight, thinness and overweight/obesity) in our study which adds to the existing evidence of a coexistence of undernutrition and over-nutrition in school age children in developing countries including Nigeria. (Bello et al, 2016, Asiegbu et al, 2017, Ene-Obong et al, 2012, Nyathela & Oldewage-Theron, 2017 This double burden of malnutrition has been attributed to increasing globalization and westernization resulting in changes in dietary pattern from the traditional towards a western diet coupled with sedentary lifestyle and technological advancement. Undernutrition can inhibit growth and development in school children (Best et al, 2010) while over-nutrition will predispose to overweight and obesity which have been reported to be risk factors for the development several chronic non-communicable conditions later in adulthood.…”

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“…(Monzani et al, 2019, Smith et al, 2010 Majority of the respondents had high dietary diversity scoring with a higher proportion of them consuming more of fats/oils and plant-based diets of cereal, roots and tubers with limited foods of animal source. The high consumption of cereal-based foods is in agreement with similar studies in Nigeria (Alamu et al, 2019, Bello et al, 2016, Ndukwu, 2014, Nnebue et al, 2016, Okafor, Odo & Onodigbo, 2020 and other African countries (Abdul-Razak & Zakari, 2019, Alamgea et al, 2018, Nyathela & Oldewage-Theron, 2017, Grobbelaar, Napier & Oldwage-Theron, 2013 which is a reflection of foods that constitute the major staples in the study area. The implication of this is that these dietary pattern may not meet the up the nutritional needs of these children.…”

“…We found the full spectrum of malnutrition (stunting, underweight, thinness and overweight/obesity) in our study which adds to the existing evidence of a coexistence of undernutrition and over-nutrition in school age children in developing countries including Nigeria. (Bello et al, 2016, Asiegbu et al, 2017, Ene-Obong et al, 2012, Nyathela & Oldewage-Theron, 2017 This double burden of malnutrition has been attributed to increasing globalization and westernization resulting in changes in dietary pattern from the traditional towards a western diet coupled with sedentary lifestyle and technological advancement. Undernutrition can inhibit growth and development in school children (Best et al, 2010) while over-nutrition will predispose to overweight and obesity which have been reported to be risk factors for the development several chronic non-communicable conditions later in adulthood.…”

Results from the Healthy Active Kids South Africa 2018 Report Card

“…[59] Since the high prevalence of overweight/obesity persists, the grade remains a D. Undernutrition C Based on regional studies, undernutrition remains a problem in both rural and urban areas. [56,[60][61][62] No recent national data on indicators of undernutrition (stunting, wasting, underweight) are available for the 5 -15-yearold age group. There continue to be sex differences in the prevalence of undernutrition indicators at a regional level; however, these are not consistent across studies.…”