ABSTRACT

This study assessed malnutrition among children 2-5 years in Umuafai, Umuezeala and Umuanna communities in Umuahia North Local Government Area (LGA) Abia State. The study employed a cross sectional survey study design. The sample size of this study comprised of three hundred and eighty two (382) children aged 2-5 years, randomly selected in the study area. A structured, easy-to- comprehend questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The questionnaire was validated by lecturers in the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage as well as presentation of results on tables. The study found that; majority of the children (51.6%) were within the age range of 4 to 5 years. Majority (56.3%) were males. The result also showed that majority had fairly good feeding habit with snacking as the major unhealthy dietary habit. Anthropometric result from the weight-for-height z-score, height-for-age z-score, weight-for-age z-score and body mass index for age z-score showed that there was no significant difference in the anthropometric characteristics of boys and girls (p= >0.05). There was a significant difference in the height-for-age z-score, weight-for-age z-score and body mass index for age z-score of children aged 2-3 years and 4-5 years (p= <0.05). Mid-upper arm circumference was seen to be normal for both genders and age groups. The prevalence of wasting, stunting, underweight and overweight were found to be 16.2, 9.7%, 10.2% and 6.0% respectively. The prevalence of wasting and overweight among the children was seen to be of concern in comparison to the WHO classification for public health significance. Also the study found that there is a positive relationship (p= <0.05) between malnutrition and maternal education, household income, birth weight and mother’s age. Considering the findings and conclusion of this study, it was recommended that Nutrition education programmes should be developed and implemented for parents in these communities and regular anthropometric checkups should be carried out in these communities to encourage child growth monitoring.