Dietary Diversity Score and Weight-For-Height Status of Preschool Children in Semi-Urban and Rural Communities of Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria
Abstract
Blessing K Nwofia, Ijioma Okorie, Emeka K Agina and Nkemdilim J Ekeowa
Background/ Objective: Proper nutrition in the preschool years is vital for healthy growth, brain development, and lifelong well-being. The study was to assess the dietary diversity score and weight-for-height status of preschool children in semi-urban and rural communities of Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 318 preschool children aged 2–4 years and their caregivers, selected from six randomly chosen communities using a multi-stage sampling technique. Socio- demographic and individual dietary diversity score (IDDS) data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Children’s weight and height were measured and analyzed using WHO Anthro software to obtain Z-scores for weight- for-height, weight-for-age, and height-for-age. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the data, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The mean age of children was 2.86 ± 0.79 years; 52.8% were male. Most households were small (1–5 members; 64.5%) and low-income (< â?¦70,000/month; 66.4%). Caregivers mostly had secondary education (62.9%), with trading (34.3%) and civil/public service (33.0%) as predominant occupations. Dietary assessment showed universal consumption of grains, roots, and tubers (100%), while intake of animal-source foods, eggs, and vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables was low. More than half of the children (52.8%) did not meet minimum dietary diversity (≥4 food groups). Anthropometric measurements revealed stunting (25.5%), underweight (15.7%), wasting (7.9%), and overweight/obesity (3.1%). Wasting was significantly associated with low dietary diversity (p = 0.001), larger household size (p = 0.010), low household income (p = 0.030), and lower maternal education (p = 0.049).
Conclusions: Dietary diversity, household size, household income, and maternal education significantly influenced weight-for-height status. Interventions targeting improved dietary diversity and socio-economic support are needed to enhance nutritional outcomes among preschool children.