Early-Stage Primary School Children Attending a School in the Malawian School Feeding Program (SFP) Have Better Reversal Learning and Lean Muscle Mass Growth Than Those Attending a Non-SFP School

Nutritional reinforcement of disadvantaged elementary-school children is a recognized objective. Increased emphasis over the past few years has been placed on institutional feeding programs to upgrade the nutrition of children considered to be at risk.1,2 A traditional vehicle for attempting to improve the nutritional status of these youngsters is the "type A" school feeding program. This program represents one of the largest federal efforts in the field of public health, and is important in the nutrition of over 80% of the nation's children.3 Recent reports, however, indicate that the lunch program through the provision of one third of the daily requirements will not fully meet its objective of contributing to an improved nutritional profile in disadvantaged children, 4,5 It would, therefore, seem appropriate that in addition to providing lunch and an occasional breakfast in a conventional pattern, emphasis be placed on providing additional nutritional reinforcement through an acceptable, convenient, palatable, and nutritionally enriched supplement which would assist in improving the nutrition of children.6 It is the purpose of this paper to report on the provision of a nutritionally fortified supplement, containing low lactose levels, to disadvantaged elementary-school children and the changes, if any, in: (1) hematocrit; (2) height; (3) weight; and (4) absenteeism in the supplemented and nonsupplemented children studied. METHODOLOGY Population The 177 children completely studied in the experimental school receiving the supplement represent all children in the first three grades remaining in school and participating in all elements of the study over the entire school year. The children ranged in age from 5.1 to 9.1 years.

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Nutritional status and associated factors among primary school students, in Meket Wereda, Ethiopia: comparing schools with feeding and non-feeding program

10.21203/rs.2.12672/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yeshalem Mulugeta Demilew ◽

Azezu Asres Nigussie

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Primary School ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Primary School Students ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Feeding Programs ◽

School Feeding ◽

Feeding Program ◽

School Feeding Program

Abstract Background: Though undernutrition affects academic performance significant numbers of Ethiopian school children have undernutrition. To avert nutritional problems the government in collaboration with the world food program has implemented a school feeding program. However, data on the nutritional status of primary school students were scarce in the country. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the nutritional status of primary school students enrolled in schools with school feeding programs and in schools without school feeding programs and to identify associated factors in Meket Woreda.Methods: A school-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,091 students, from April 1-27/2015. The study participants were selected using a multi-stage stratified sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS version 20 software. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were done. Anthropometric data were analyzed using Anthro-plus software.Results: The prevalence of thinness was 37.5% among students in non school feeding program schools compared with 27.8 % among students in School feeding program schools. Though it wasn’t significant after adjusting for the potential confounders, the prevalence of stunting among students who took meals at school was higher (58.5%) compared with students who did not consume meals at school (48.3%). Students who did not take meal at school [AOR=2.6, 95% CI: (1.8, 3.8)], having uneducated mother [AOR=5.3, 95% CI: (2.2, 12.6)], being a male [AOR=1.9, 95% CI: (1.4, 2.5)], and taking meal once daily [AOR=2.7, 95% CI: (1.6, 3.9)] were positively associated with thinness. Conclusion: The prevalence of thinness was higher among students in schools did not implement school feeding programs compared to their counterparts. Thus, school meal program should be scaling up into schools in food insecure areas.

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Comparison of three school feeding strategies for primary school children in an informal settlement in Gauteng, South Africa

Health SA Gesondheid ◽

10.4102/hsag.v14i1.458 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Carin Napier ◽

Wilna Oldewage-Theron ◽

Jeanette Kearney

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Informal Settlement ◽

School Nutrition ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Feeding Strategies ◽

School Feeding ◽

The Impact ◽

Nutrition Programme

The aim of this study was to compare the impact of three school feeding strategies on the nutritional status of primary school children aged six to 13 in an informal settlement in Gauteng.The methods included dietary surveys and anthropometric and biochemical measurements of a sample of 160 primary school children allocated to three different school feeding intervention groups. One group (n=60) received a whole wheat pilchard and spinach vetkoek, a second received food according to the Government Primary School Nutrition Programme (PSNP)(n=60), and a third (n=40) received fruit. The children were given these items every day for seven months, except during school holidays and weekends. The baseline anthropometric measurements indicated that 13.6%, 20.9% and 10.8% of the children in the vetkoek, PSNP and fruit groups respectively were underweight (lesser than 5th percentile for weight-for-age) and 17.3%, 23.6% and 5.2% were stunted (lesser than 5th percentile for height-for-age).The post-intervention results indicated that the children in all three groups had improved significantly in weight and height, and in dietary intakes of zinc and iron.The results of this study indicated that all three feeding strategies contributed to an improved nutritional status. Providing fruit as a school feeding strategy may be the most affordable and easy to implement. More research is recommended to measure the impact of these strategies on a long- term basis.OpsommingDie doel van die studie was om die impak van drie skoolvoedingstrategieë op die voedingstatus van ses tot dertien jaar oue laerskoolkinders in 'n informele nedersetting in Gauteng te bepaal.Die metodes het die volgende ingesluit: dieetopnames, antropometriese en biochemiese metings in 'n steekproef van 160 laerskoolkinders, wat ewekansig in drie skoolvoedingintervensiegroepe verdeel is. Die groepe het bestaan uit 'n volkoring sardyn-en-spinasie-vetkoek groep (n=60), die Government Primary School Nutrition Programme (PSNP) groep (n=60), en 'n vrugtegroep (n=40) wat hierdie items elke dag vir sewe maande, behalwe vir skoolvakansies en naweke, ontvang het. Die antropometriese metings voor die intervensie het bevind dat 13.6%, 20.9% en 10.8% van die kinders ondergewig (kleiner as 5de persentiel vir gewig-vir-ouderdom) was in die vetkoek-, PSNP- en vrugtegroep, respektiewelik, en 17.3%, 23.6% en 5.2% se groei is belemmer (kleiner as 5de persentiel vir lengte-vir-ouderdom).Die na-intervensieresultate het aangedui dat die kinders in al drie die groepe se gewig, lengte, sowel as sink en ysterinname betekenisvol verbeter het.Die resultate van hierdie studie het aangetoon dat al drie die voedingstrategieë bygedra het tot ’n verbeterde voedingstatus. Die voorsiening van vrugte as ’n skoolvoedingstrategie is egter bekostigbaar en maklik om te implementeer. Meer navorsing om die impak op die langtermyn te toets, word aanbeveel.

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Risk Factors and Socio-Demographic Determinants of Intestinal Helminthiasis among Children in Schools that Implemented the Homegrown School Feeding Program in Ekwulobia, Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria

International Journal of Translational Medical Research and Public Health ◽

10.21106/ijtmrph.53 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Ogechukwu B. Aribodor ◽

Chinyere Angela Ekwunife ◽

Olufemi S. Sammy-Wobo ◽

Dennis N. Aribodor

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Public Schools ◽

Primary School ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Anambra State ◽

School Feeding ◽

Feeding Program ◽

Study Population ◽

Low Prevalence ◽

School Feeding Program

Introduction: Control of intestinal helminthiasis among pupils improves their nutritional status. This study identified the risk factors and socio-demographic determinants of intestinal helminthiasis among children in primary schools that implemented Home Grown School Feeding Program (HGSFP) in Anambra State, Nigeria. Methods: Eight hundred and forty-eight consented pupils from Primary (Elementary) classes 1-4 were examined from Community Primary School, Ekwulobia, 270 pupils; Central Primary School, Ekwulobia, 317 pupils; and Nwannebo Primary School, Ekwulobia, 261 pupils. Structured questionnaires were administered to pupils to assess their risks factors for helminthiasis. Fecal samples collected from all pupils were examined using Kato-Katz technique. Data obtained were entered and analyzed using SPSS. Results: Of the 848 pupils, 452 (53.3%) were males and 396 (46.7%) were females. Assessment of risk factors associated with transmission revealed that toilet type, hand washing habit, and knowledge of the cause of helminthiasis were significantly (p<0.05) related to transmission; however parentâ€™s occupation and biting of fingernails habits were not correlated with transmission (p>0.05). There was a very low prevalence of helminthes at 0.7% in six stool samples (1 male and 5 females), and prevalence of helminthes was not significantly associated (p>0.05) with pupilâ€™s sex and age. Ascaris lumbricoides were the only helminthes observed in the study population. Conclusion and Implications for Translation: The low prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis among the study population may be attributable to efforts of HGSFP that was implemented in the study area. There is need for constant monitoring and surveillance of all public schools and sustenance of the implemented water, sanitation and hygiene practices and HGSFP so that total elimination of helminths could be achievable in the state. Key words: Helminthiasis â€¢ Home Grown School Feeding â€¢ Pupils â€¢ Ekwulobia â€¢ Anambra State â€¢ Nigeria. Copyright Â© 2018 Aribodor et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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External genital abnormalities in male primary school children: importance of structured school health survey

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20201479 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 1576

Author(s):

Alok Gupta ◽

Rajendra P. Singh

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Health Survey ◽

School Children ◽

School Health ◽

Early Stage ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Medical Officer ◽

External Genitalia ◽

Capital City ◽

Primary School Children

Background: Abnormalities of external genitalia are often under diagnosed in early childhood because of lack of awareness of parents about the anatomy of external genitalia and social inhibitions. These abnormalities, if left untreated, may lead to psychological, social, and sexual complication. Structured school health survey and awareness among parents can identify these abnormalities at early stage to avoid further complications later. Study was aimed at spreading awareness among parents of young children and school administration about importance of structured screening programme for detecting external genital abnormalities among the young boys to avoid various related complications later.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study covering 586 male primary school children of class I to V aged 6-12 yrs of two Schools in a capital city in northern state of India. All participants were physically examined for external genital anomalies by a trained medical officer. Data collected were analysed using standard statistical software, Statistical Programme for Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0.Results: Abnormalities were detected in 84 (14.33%) children. Phimosis was commonest abnormality (7.5%), followed by Inguinal Hernia, Un-descended Testes, Hypospadias, Varicocele and Hydrocele. Children of parents having higher educational level were found having lesser prevalence of abnormalities.Conclusions: Diagnosis and management of abnormalities of external genitals of children is delayed due to lack of awareness among parents. Careful screening of these abnormalities at pre-school and school age, increased public awareness and early referral of children is very important to avoid the risk of having urogenital complications during adulthood.

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Gingivitis in Primary School Children of Bangladesh

Ibrahim Medical College Journal ◽

10.3329/imcj.v3i2.4221 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 71-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Masuma Pervin Mishu ◽

Richard Marshal Hubbard ◽

Sejuty Haque ◽

M Abu Sayeed ◽

Syed Touseef Imam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Class ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Early Stage ◽

Periodontal Diseases ◽

Primary School Children ◽

School Students

Though early diagnosis and intervention of gingivitis in school children can eliminate progression to frank periodontal diseases, no such measures in Bangladesh are in place to detect gingivitis at an early stage in school children. This survey was conducted in 2007 in the primary schools of rural, suburban and urban areas of Bangladesh to evaluate oral hygiene with special emphasis on gingivitis prevalent among 6-13 years school children. The clinical examination of the gingiva was carried out using a mouth mirror and a periodontal probe. A total of 1,820 primary school students (m/f = 946/ 873) took part in the investigation. The crude prevalence of gingivitis, AS* and plaque were 17.5%, 9.2% and 56.0% respectively. The prevalence of gingivitis was significantly higher in males than females (20.3 vs. 14.3%, p<0.001), lower than upper social class (21.1 vs. 12.6%, p<0.001) and in rural than urban plus suburban children (22.5 vs. 15.1%, p<0.001). Likewise, the prevalence of AS and plaque were significantly higher in males, lower social class and rural children. Significantly lower prevalence of gingivitis, AS and plaque was found among those who used tooth brush and tooth paste than those who did not (15.4% vs 22.4%, p<0.001). The study concludes that the prevalence of oro-dental diseases is high in Bangladeshi children. The male children of low social class of rural communities are the most vulnerable group. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2009; 3(2): 71-74 Key Words: Gingivitis, primary school children, oral health education. DOI: 10.3329/imcj.v3i2.4221

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School feeding program has resulted in improved dietary diversity, nutritional status and class attendance of school children

Italian Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s13052-018-0449-1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Mastewal Zenebe ◽

Samson Gebremedhin ◽

Carol J. Henry ◽

Nigatu Regassa

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

School Children ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Class Attendance ◽

School Feeding ◽

Feeding Program ◽

School Feeding Program

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School Feeding Programme on Cognitive Functioning of Primary School Children among Some Selected Schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria

The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies ◽

10.24940/theijhss/2020/v8/i1/hs2001-020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michael Olugbenga

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

School Children ◽

Primary School Children ◽

School Feeding

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Nutritional status and associated factors among primary school students, in Meket Wereda, Ethiopia: comparing schools with feeding and non-feeding program

10.21203/rs.2.12672/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Yeshalem Mulugeta Demilew ◽

Azezu Asres Nigussie

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Primary School ◽

Primary School Students ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Once Daily ◽

School Meal ◽

School Feeding ◽

Feeding Program ◽

School Feeding Program

Abstract Background Under-nutrition significantly affects the academic performance of students. Despite its remarkable effect, the prevalence of malnutrition was very high in Ethiopia. To reduce malnutrition and its serious consequence Ethiopian government in collaboration with the world food program implemented school feeding program in food insecure areas. However, its effect on the nutritional status of students was not assessed, yet. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the nutritional status of primary school students enrolled in schools with school feeding program and primary school students enrolled in schools without in Meket Woreda. Methods A school-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 1091 students, from April 1-27/2015. The study participants were selected using multi-stage stratified sampling method. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data entry and analysis were done by SPSS version 20 software. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were done. Anthropometric data were calculated using Anthro-plus software. Results the prevalence of stunting was higher among students who took meal at school than students who did not consume meal at school (58.5% Vs 48.3%) whereas the prevalence of thinness was higher among students who did not take meal at school compared with students who took meal at school (37.5% Vs27.8%). Factors associated with stunting were having uneducated mother [AOR=2.1, 95% CI: (1.4, 3.3)], drinking river water [AOR=1.5, 95% CI: (1.1, 2.1)], being a male [AOR=1.6, 95% CI: (1.3, 2.1)] and taking meal once daily [AOR=2.6, 95% CI: (1.2, 5.9)]. Whereas, students who did not take meal at school [AOR=2.6, 95% CI: (1.8, 3.8)], having uneducated mother [AOR=5.3, 95% CI: (2.2, 12.6)], being a male [AOR=1.9, 95% CI: (1.4, 2.5)], and taking meal once daily [AOR=2.7, 95% CI: (1.6, 3.9)] were positively associated with thinness. Conclusion School meal program is important to prevent thinness. Thus, school meal program should be implemented in schools have no the program. Education should be given to improve the source of drinking water, frequency and diversity of food at home by giving emphasis to uneducated and housewife mothers.

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