Nutritional status, physical activity and associated nutrition knowledge of primary school learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tavonga M Muderedzwa ◽  
Tonderayi M Matsungo

Background: Nutrition education has the potential to improve eating habits, physical activity and nutritional status of schoolchildren. Aim: This study aimed to determine the nutritional status, physical activity levels and the associated nutrition knowledge of primary school learners aged 9–14 years in Harare, Zimbabwe. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among learners ( n = 368) from eight primary schools. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, nutrition knowledge and physical activity data. The weights and heights were measured using World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Pearson chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess association between categorical variables. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the determinants of wasting and overweight. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Overweight, wasting and stunting affected 25.8%, 6.3% and 3% of the learners, respectively. Only 52.7% of the learners achieved the WHO recommended 60 minutes of physical activity. The mean±standard deviation nutrition knowledge score of the learners was 70.3±10.9%. Stunted children were more likely to be wasted (odds ratio (OR) = 4.38; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–17.8; p = 0.039). Inadequate dietary diversity score (OR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.22–0.87; p = 0.018) and using non-active forms of transportation (OR = 2.69; 95% CI 1.52–4.76; p = 0.001) were a significant predictor of overweight among the learners. Conclusions: Overweight was the leading form of malnutrition, coexisting with undernutrition, reflecting the presence of a ‘double burden of malnutrition’. Therefore, comprehensive and multi-sectoral interventions to improve healthy eating and physical activity are warranted.

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Amini ◽  
Abolghassem Djazayery ◽  
Reza Majdzadeh ◽  
Mohammad-Hossein Taghdisi ◽  
Haleh Sadrzadeh-Yeganeh ◽  
...  

Background: This study evaluated the effect of an intervention for reducing excess weight gain in primary school-age children in Tehran. Methods: A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 12 primary schools in Tehran. Three hundred thirty-four pupils, 167 in the intervention and 167 in the comparison group, determined to be overweight or obese based on World Health Organization standards, were recruited for the study. The intervention included nutrition education and increased physical activity (PA) for the pupils, lifestyle modification for parents, and a change in food items sold at the schools’ canteens. The entire intervention lasted approximately 18 weeks. Measures were taken before and immediately after the intervention. Results: The intervention significantly reduced body mass index Z-score and hip circumference ( p = .003 and p < .001, respectively). Waist circumference increased in both groups, but the increase was higher in the comparison group ( p = .001). No significant difference was seen in time spent on TV viewing between groups ( p = .08). Vigorous PA increased in the intervention group ( p < .001), while the comparison group showed an increase in moderate activity only ( p < .001). Energy intake increased significantly in the intervention group ( p < .001). Neither triceps skinfold thickness nor time spent on the computer changed in the intervention group ( p = .51 and p = .1, respectively), while they increased in the comparison group ( p < .001 and p = .004, respectively). Conclusion: The study provides a successful model for the implementation of similar interventions throughout the country.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashid Abdi Guled ◽  
Nik Mazlan Mamat ◽  
Tefera Belachew ◽  
Wan Azdie Mohd Abu Bakar ◽  
Nega Assefa

Abstract Background: Undernutrition is most common public health problem in developing world. It is responsible for more than three million global deaths of under five children every year. Severe wasting and stunting are the major contributors of this problems. Hence, this study was designed to document the effect of nutrition education intervention (NEI) on nutritional status of the children in pastoralist and agro-pastoralist community of Somali regional state, Eastern Ethiopia.Methods: A group randomized controlled trial was carried out among 404 paired child to mothers/caregivers in two phases. A chi-square for categorical variables, t-test and for continuous variables were used. In addition, World Health Organization (WHO) AnthroPlus software were also used.Results: After NEI this has shown statistically significant improvement, in all three types of malnutrition compared to control. The malnutrition prevalence has been significantly decreased within the group from baseline to post intervention; wasting (19% to 9.4%, p = 0.005), underweight (18.5% to 7.4%, p= 0.029), and stunting (31.2% to 21.7%, p= 0.001). Whereas, the control group showed no significant difference (p >0.05) in all three types. The overall mean Z-score difference of the difference (DOD) of wasting and underweight between groups from pre and post intervention were shown better off, compared to control group, with mean DOD wasting of (-0.738, p <0.001) and underweight of (-0.615, p <0.001). But, this was not seen in stunting (-0.239, p >0.05).Conclusion: The NEI using behaviour change communication (BCC) showed promising outcome, and need to be further scaled up and adapted to other districts in the zone or other areas in the region.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-56
Author(s):  
T.C.J. Uzosike ◽  
I. Okeafor ◽  
M. Mezie-Okoye

Background: Poor nutrition can hinder pupils from achieving good educational performance at school. This study provides information on the dietary diversity and nutritional status of school-age children in Rivers State, and their relationship with academic performance.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted among pupils attending public primary schools, aged 6-11 years. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, data on dietary diversity was collected using a two-day 24-hour dietary recall tool adapted from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines for measuring household and individual dietary diversity. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measures and educational performance was assessed using the end of term examination results for Mathematics and English language in the selected schools. Statistical analyses were performed at p level of 0.05.Results: The study had a total of 847 public primary school pupils, comprising of 441 (52.1%) males and 406 (47.9%) females The minimum and maximum dietary diversity score (DDS) obtained from the pupils were one and five, respectively with a mean DDS of 3.67 ± 0.71. The frequency of stunting, underweight and overweight among the pupils were 39.4%, 23.0% and 6.0% respectively. Dietary diversity was significantly associated with academic performance (p=0.001), with higher odds of poor academic performance in both English language and Mathematics reported among pupils with low DDS in comparison to those with normal DDS.Conclusion: Dietary diversity for primary school pupils should be promoted to achieve optimal academic performance amidst other benefits. Keywords: Academic performance; Dietary diversity; Nutritional status; Pupils


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
RAHMITA YANTI

The main nutritional problems facing the Indonesian government one of Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). West Sumatra province found the prevalence of enlarged adenoids school children is still high which ranges from 12% -44,1% and Total Goiter Rate also high in the coastal region. This study aims to determine the factors cause iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and relationship to nutritional status of primary school children 36 Singgalang Tanah Datar.This type of research is Case Control. The study population are the all of primary school children 36 Singgalang Tanah Datar, aged 9-12 years who suffered goiter examined palpation. The sample consisted of 30 cases and 30 controls. Sampling was done by purposive sampling technique. Data were processed using univariate, bivariate with chisquare test.The research results revealed there is relationship IDD to nutritional status of primary school children 36 Singgalang Tanah Datar (p = 0,034 (95% CI: 1,2 to 11,4)), an related of iodine intake (p = 0,016 (95% CI: 1,5 -14,4)), goitrogenik intake (p = 0,039 (95% CI: 1,2-9,9)), the quality of salt (p = 0,038 (95% CI: 1,2 to 10,2)), socioeconomic status (p = 0,02 (95% CI: 1,4-11,8), and the level of parents knowledge (p = 0,039 (95% CI: 1,2 to 9,9)) with iodine deficiency disorder. While variable which is not related to iodine deficiency disorder is the parents education level p = 0,77 (p value> 0,05)This study concluded that there is relationship IDD to nutritional status and there are relationship iodine intake, goitrogenik, salt quality, socioeconomic status, and level of knowledge of parent with iodine deficiency disorder. Need for nutrition counseling conducted by the health promotion officers regularly about the importance of the use of iodized salt for children's growth and nutrition education in the family menu processing so as to improve the nutritional status of children at the household levelKeywords : Iodine deficiency disorder, nutritional status, school children


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e045879
Author(s):  
Bina Ram ◽  
Anna Chalkley ◽  
Esther van Sluijs ◽  
Rachel Phillips ◽  
Tishya Venkatraman ◽  
...  

IntroductionSchool-based active mile initiatives such as The Daily Mile (TDM) are widely promoted to address shortfalls in meeting physical activity recommendations. The iMprOVE Study aims to examine the impact of TDM on children’s physical and mental health and educational attainment throughout primary school.Methods and analysisiMprOVE is a longitudinal quasi-experimental cohort study. We will send a survey to all state-funded primary schools in Greater London to identify participation in TDM. The survey responses will be used for non-random allocation to either the intervention group (Daily Mile schools) or to the control group (non-Daily Mile schools). We aim to recruit 3533 year 1 children (aged 5–6 years) from 77 primary schools and follow them up annually until the end of their primary school years. Data collection taking place at baseline (children in school year 1) and each primary school year thereafter includes device-based measures of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and questionnaires to measure mental health (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and educational attainment (ratings from ‘below expected’ to ‘above expected levels’). The primary outcome is the mean change in MVPA minutes from baseline to year 6 during the school day among the intervention group compared with controls. We will use multilevel linear regression models adjusting for sociodemographic data and participation in TDM. The study is powered to detect a 10% (5.5 min) difference between the intervention and control group which would be considered clinically significant.Ethics and disseminationEthics has been approved from Imperial College Research Ethics Committee, reference 20IC6127. Key findings will be disseminated to the public through research networks, social, print and media broadcasts, community engagement opportunities and schools. We will work with policy-makers for direct application and impact of our findings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bowles ◽  
Déirdre Ní Chróinín ◽  
Elaine Murtagh

The provision of regular physical activity opportunities has the potential to have positive health benefits for children. This study used qualitative interviews and focus groups to examine the experiences of two Irish primary school communities as they worked to attain an Active School Flag. The data suggest that engagement in this formal physical activity initiative impacts positively on children’s engagement in physical activity. Schools were encouraged to embark on innovative activities that attracted widespread participation within schools and in the wider community. The establishment of links with community groups fostered collaborations that were empowering and inclusive. This research supports the contention that primary school initiatives can provide enhanced physical activity opportunities for children, and may provide guidance to national and international policy-makers as they devise school-based physical activity interventions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-44
Author(s):  
Berit M. Follong ◽  
Angeliek Verdonschot ◽  
Elena Prieto-Rodriguez ◽  
Andrew Miller ◽  
Clare E. Collins ◽  
...  

Abstract Primary schools contribute to promoting healthy eating behaviour and preventing overweight and obesity by providing nutrition education. Research highlights the importance of improving teachers’ program implementation to enhance intervention effectiveness. An integrative approach has been suggested to reduce time barriers that teachers currently experience in teaching nutrition. This scoping review explores use and effectiveness of integrative teaching in primary school-based nutrition education programs. Six databases were searched for primary school-based interventions on nutrition education. Papers reporting on integration of nutrition topics within core curriculum were included. Abstracts and full texts of potentially relevant articles were screened to determine eligibility. Next, data were extracted and tabulated. Findings were collated and summarised to describe intervention characteristics, subject integration and effectiveness of the included programs. Data describing integration of nutrition into the primary school curriculum were extracted from 39 eligible papers. Nutrition education programs often involve lessons about food groups and are frequently embedded within the mathematics, science or literacy syllabus. Although articles report on the integration of nutrition, the use of this approach was not commonly described in detail. Only seven papers discussed student outcomes related to the integration of nutrition education within core subjects. The ability to draw strong conclusions about school-based nutrition intervention effectiveness is limited by the current lack of program description and methodological issues. Hence, more research is warranted to inform evidence on effectiveness of integrative nutrition education for both teacher and student outcomes. Future studies that include greater detail regarding the integrative approach are needed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Keshani ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Mousavi ◽  
Zahra Mirzaei ◽  
Zeinab Hematdar ◽  
Najmeh Maayeshi ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getenesh Berhanu Teshome ◽  
Susan J. Whiting ◽  
Timothy J. Green ◽  
Demelash Mulualem ◽  
Carol J. Henry

Abstract Background Improving children's weight status through nutrition education (NE) for mothers about using pulses in complementary feeding has been demonstrated in pilot studies, but no effect on stunting was reported. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 9-month pulse-nutrition education program on mothers' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards pulses, as well as its impact on children's dietary diversity, and nutritional status. The NE was delivered by Health Extension Workers (HEWs). Methods A cluster randomized study was employed for the community-based interventional study. Twelve randomly selected villages in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia were included in the study. A total of 772 mother-child pairs involved in the study; where 386 mother-child pairs in the intervention group received additional messages about pulse-cereal complementary food, and 386 pairs (the control) received only routine health education for 9 months. A survey on mothers’ KAP and anthropometric measurements of the children were taken at baseline, midline, and endline. Results At baseline and endline, maternal KAP and the dietary diversity score of the children (mean age at endline 18.8 ± 2.9 mo) were assessed. Results : Intervention mothers’ KAP improved ( p <0.001) at midline and endline compared to that of the control group, as did frequency of pulse consumption and DDS among children. At 9 months, the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight was significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group ( p =0.001). Conclusions NE delivered by HEWs improved KAP of mothers regarding pulse consumption and dietary diversity of children led to improved nutritional status of the children. Training HEWs on the use of pulses for CF may be an effective way to improve the health of children in Ethiopian communities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Y. AL Khafaji ◽  
Nadia A Al Rawi

Background: Oral health and nutrition are in interdependent relationship that good nutritional health enhancing good oral health. Nutrition can affect the development and integrity of oral cavity and the progression of oral disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of the gingival health condition in relation to the nutritional status, among 10 years old primary school children in urban and rural area in Al-Hillah city. Material and method: Eight hundred ninety one (891) students, aged10 years old, selected randomly from different primary schools, in urban and rural area in Al-Hillah city, were included in this study. Oral examination including of plaque index assessment, which was done according to the criteria by Silness and Loe, in 1964, gingival health conditions was determined according to Loe and Silness, 1963. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI), following the criteria of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth chart (CDC). Statistical analysis was done using Kruskal Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test and ANOVA, p-value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: This study showed that the majority of the sample was found to be with normal gingival health condition. No significant difference was observed between the gingival index in relation to gender, or residence also, no significant result was found, between plaque and gingival index in relation to the nutritional status. Conclusion: The majority of the sample with normal gingiva however the nutritional status had no significant effect on gingival health condition while the urbanization had an effect on oral hygiene


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