ABSTRACT
This study
examines dietary intake and anthropometric status of preschool children (aged
2-5 years) in Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State, focusing on the
prevalence of undernutrition and factors influencing growth. A structured
questionnaire made up of four sections was used to gather information on the
personal data of the children and their parents‘ socio-economic status. Data
obtained from the anthropometric measurements was analyzed using the WHO Anthro
survey analyzer based on weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for height.
The result obtained reveals that the socio-demographic characteristics of
participants were majority (62.8%) male with only 37.2% being female. Majority
(67.8%) fall within the 4–5 years age group, while 32.3% are between 2–3 years.
A significant proportion of parents/guardians fall in the age range of 30–40
years (57.2%), while 42.8% are below 30 years. The dietary Habits of
Respondents shows that majority (100%) consumed cereals, roots, and tubers
within a 24-hour dietary recall period. Cereals, roots, and tubers are staple
foods in many regions, providing carbohydrates essential for energy. Only 28.8%
of respondents consumed other fruits and vegetables, while 71.1% did not.
Dietary habit of respondent showed that majority (82.2%) of respondents
reported always consuming breakfast, while 17.8% only sometimes ate breakfast
and most (47.2%) children consume three meals per day, with 43.9% eating four
or more meals. Food frequency of respondents showed that among the cereal and
grain groups , few (42.5%) consumed
akamu/pap daily, 59.4% and 23.9% consumes rice regularly and daily, while 67.2%
consumes bread regularly while legumes such as beans are predominantly consumed
occasionally (58.3%) or regularly (23.9%). Furthermore, crayfish (93.3%) was
consumed regularly. Food frequency of respondents revealed that majority
(58.3%) of children consumed powdered milk occasionally, while 23.9% consumed
it regularly while rare consumption (60.6%) of tinned
milk dominated, with occasional use (39.4%). It is recorded that nutrition
education programmes should be introduced in schools, in order to increase
fruits and vegetable intakes with productions and nutritions.
CHIDOZIE, C (2025). Dietary Intake And Anthropometric Status Of The Preschool Children (Aged 2-5 Years) At Udenu Local Government In Enugu State:- Chidozie, Vivianmary C. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Jul 11, 2025, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-intake-and-anthropometric-status-of-the-preschool-children-aged-2-5-years-at-udenu-local-government-in-enugu-state-chidozie-vivianmary-c-7-2
CHIDOZIE, CHIDOZIE. "Dietary Intake And Anthropometric Status Of The Preschool Children (Aged 2-5 Years) At Udenu Local Government In Enugu State:- Chidozie, Vivianmary C" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 10 Jul. 2025, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-intake-and-anthropometric-status-of-the-preschool-children-aged-2-5-years-at-udenu-local-government-in-enugu-state-chidozie-vivianmary-c-7-2. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
CHIDOZIE, CHIDOZIE. "Dietary Intake And Anthropometric Status Of The Preschool Children (Aged 2-5 Years) At Udenu Local Government In Enugu State:- Chidozie, Vivianmary C". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 10 Jul. 2025. Web. 11 Jul. 2025. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-intake-and-anthropometric-status-of-the-preschool-children-aged-2-5-years-at-udenu-local-government-in-enugu-state-chidozie-vivianmary-c-7-2 >.
CHIDOZIE, CHIDOZIE. "Dietary Intake And Anthropometric Status Of The Preschool Children (Aged 2-5 Years) At Udenu Local Government In Enugu State:- Chidozie, Vivianmary C" Mouau.afribary.org (2025). Accessed 11 Jul. 2025. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/dietary-intake-and-anthropometric-status-of-the-preschool-children-aged-2-5-years-at-udenu-local-government-in-enugu-state-chidozie-vivianmary-c-7-2