The Impact of a Nutrition Programme on the Dietary Intake Patterns of Primary School Children

Objective: The aim of this study was to improve the dietary intake patterns and food choices of children aged 9-13 years in a periurban community. Methods: Two schools were randomly selected from within this periurban community. A nutrition education programme was implemented over one school term; with the testing of nutrition knowledge occurring pre- and post-intervention; and in the long term; with the experimental group only. A validated 24-hour recall questionnaire was completed pre- and post-intervention by both the control (n = 91) and experimental groups (n = 81); and in the long term; by the experimental group. Food models were used to assist in the estimation of portion sizes and identification of food items. The questionnaire was analysed using the computer software programme FoodFinder 3; with means and standard deviations calculated for macro- and micronutrients; and comparisons made with dietary reference intakes for specific age groups. A list was drawn up of the 20 most commonly consumed food items; based on weights consumed. Paired t-tests were conducted to assess significance in dietary intake and food choices after the intervention. Correlations between knowledge and dietary choices were determined among the experimental group in the long-term measurements. Results: Correlations linked protein intake to knowledge of proteins; and vitamin C intake to knowledge of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable intake remained very low. Refined sugars and fat were still consumed among the experimental group. The diet for both groups was based on carbohydrates. Conclusions: The objective of changing the dietary intake patterns of the children was not achieved. The intake of legumes; fruit and vegetables remained low. The lack of variety in intake results in a diet that does not meet the daily requirements of children

The Impact of a Nutrition Programme on the Dietary Intake Patterns of Primary School Children

Objective: The aim of this study was to improve the dietary intake patterns and food choices of children aged 9-13 years in a periurban community. Methods: Two schools were randomly selected from within this periurban community. A nutrition education programme was implemented over one school term; with the testing of nutrition knowledge occurring pre- and post-intervention; and in the long term; with the experimental group only. A validated 24-hour recall questionnaire was completed pre- and post-intervention by both the control (n = 91) and experimental groups (n = 81); and in the long term; by the experimental group. Food models were used to assist in the estimation of portion sizes and identification of food items. The questionnaire was analysed using the computer software programme FoodFinder 3; with means and standard deviations calculated for macro- and micronutrients; and comparisons made with dietary reference intakes for specific age groups. A list was drawn up of the 20 most commonly consumed food items; based on weights consumed. Paired t-tests were conducted to assess significance in dietary intake and food choices after the intervention. Correlations between knowledge and dietary choices were determined among the experimental group in the long-term measurements. Results: Correlations linked protein intake to knowledge of proteins; and vitamin C intake to knowledge of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable intake remained very low. Refined sugars and fat were still consumed among the experimental group. The diet for both groups was based on carbohydrates. Conclusions: The objective of changing the dietary intake patterns of the children was not achieved. The intake of legumes; fruit and vegetables remained low. The lack of variety in intake results in a diet that does not meet the daily requirements of children

Dietary Fat Intake and Nutritional Status Indicators of Primary School Children in a Low-Income Informal Settlement in the Vaal Region

Background: The objective of this study was to examine growth indicators; serum cholesterol; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels; as well as dietary fat intakes usually associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in healthy primary school children.Method: The respondents in this study included a convenience sample of 97 primary school children aged 6-13 years from a selected school.Anthropometric measurements (weight and height) and three 24-hour recall questionnaires were completed for each child. Registered nurses drew blood from the vena cephalica of seated children after an eight-hour fast. Results: The results of this study indicated that stunting; underweight and thinness were prevalent in this group of children. The prevalence rate for stunting (12.5) was lower than the national prevalence rate of 20; whereas the prevalence rate for underweight (15.1) was higher than the national prevalence rate of 10. Overweight was prevalent in only 1of the sample; and more so in boys (2.3) than girls (0). None of the children in this study were obese. Serum cholesterol; HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were within the normal range. However; the mean serum LDL cholesterol levels were very high. The total dietary fat intakes showed significant relationships with total dietary cholesterol (r = 0.324; p-value = 0.001); linolenic acid (r = 0.605; p-value 0.0001) and linoleic acid (r

Depth of Poverty in an Informal Settlement in the Vaal Region; South Africa

Despite the large number of people currently living in poverty in sub-Saharan Africa; the debate about the definition and meaning of poverty continues. Two distinct problems exist regarding the measurement of poverty; namely the difficulty of identifying the poor in a population and the difficulty in developing an index for the measurement of poverty. The main objective of the survey was to apply a poverty model for determining the depth of poverty in an informal settlement in the Vaal Region; as well as the impact of possible income-generating activities on the community. A questionnaire; which had been devised for measuring poverty indicators; was administered to 429 randomly selected households in the informal settlement; with the poverty model being applied to measure the degree of poverty. The results of the survey showed that 286 households lived in poverty at the time. The impact of extra income on the poverty levels of these 286 households was then determined. The results of the survey also showed that the unemployment level was 91and that the mean monthly income was R612.50. The average poverty gap was R1017.21; with the poverty gap ratio being 56. The poverty model showed that an increase of R500 in monthly household income resulted in a poverty gap ratio of 35. The results indicated that the community was a poverty-stricken community; suffering from chronic food insecurity. The results of the study will be used to facilitate the planning and implementation of sustainable; income-generating; community-based interventions aimed at promoting urban food security and alleviating poverty in the community in question

Nutrition Knowledge and Nutritional Status of Primary School Respondents in Qwa-Qwa

Objectives: To determine the nutrition knowledge and nutritional status of primary school children attending a purposively selected school in rural QwaQwa.Setting: A purposively selected public school (n = 540) in QwaQwa.Subjects: A convenience sample of all 142 school pupils; aged from nine to thirteen years.Outcome measures: The measuring instruments included a nutrition knowledge questionnaire to determine the current nutrition knowledge;and a 24-hour recall to determine food and nutrient intakes. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height; measured using standard methodologies.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 11.2 years; and all had deficient intakes of all the nutrients; except for protein; carbohydrates and thiamine. However; 53.1; 17.1and 14.3of the respondents did not meet 100of EAR for protein; carbohydrates and thiamine respectively. The anthropometric results indicated that 2.8of the total group of respondents was severely stunted; and that 11.3were stunted. The BMI-for-age indicated that 12.0were overweight; and more so among the girls (15.7) than the boys (8.3). The respondents showed average nutrition knowledge in the majority of the questions. Conclusions: This study observed malnutrition and average nutrition knowledge; with many gaps relating to aspects; such as the role of the various food groups in the diet and safe hygiene practices

Nutrition Knowledge and Nutritional Status of Primary School Respondents in Qwa-Qwa

Objectives: To determine the nutrition knowledge and nutritional status of primary school children attending a purposively selected school in rural QwaQwa.Setting: A purposively selected public school (n = 540) in QwaQwa.Subjects: A convenience sample of all 142 school pupils; aged from nine to thirteen years.Outcome measures: The measuring instruments included a nutrition knowledge questionnaire to determine the current nutrition knowledge;and a 24-hour recall to determine food and nutrient intakes. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height; measured using standard methodologies.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 11.2 years; and all had deficient intakes of all the nutrients; except for protein; carbohydrates and thiamine. However; 53.1; 17.1and 14.3of the respondents did not meet 100of EAR for protein; carbohydrates and thiamine respectively. The anthropometric results indicated that 2.8of the total group of respondents was severely stunted; and that 11.3were stunted. The BMI-for-age indicated that 12.0were overweight; and more so among the girls (15.7) than the boys (8.3). The respondents showed average nutrition knowledge in the majority of the questions. Conclusions: This study observed malnutrition and average nutrition knowledge; with many gaps relating to aspects; such as the role of the various food groups in the diet and safe hygiene practices