A study on the effects of urbanization on the nutritional status of primary school children in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the effects of urbanization on the nutritional status of primary school children aged 5-10 years was carried out in Lagos. A total of 328 children and their parents were studied with the aid of a questionnaire, anthropometric measurements of weights and heights and stool microscopy. The study revealed a prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) among the children to be 37.9%. 125 (38.2%) of them were found to have weight-for-height below -2SD (standard deviation) signifying wasting, while another 133 (40.5%) had a height-for-age below -2SD, indicating the level of stunting among the children. Most of the malnourished children 125 (60.7%) were found to belong to mothers with a maximum of primary school education and 73 (52.5%) were from mothers who were skilled workers. There was a preponderance of malnourished children from single parents. All the children (100%) from single parents were found to be clinically malnourished. And 280 (84.9%) of all children examined had ova and cyst of intestinal parasites (Ascaris, Tricuris, Amoeba, etc.) in their stools. And finally, most children 223 (67.7%) spent less than 6 hours contact time with their parents per day.