Nutritional status of children in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Anthropometric measurements and food consumption survey were undertaken to assess the nutritional status of children in a village of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Results showed that mean body weight and height of 3 to 12 year-old children were about 80 per cent and 90 per cent of Harvard Standard; respectively. Mean energy intake was about 70 per cent of RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance by FAO/WHO). Though mean intake of dietary proteins was comparable to the RDA; the animal protein portion was only about 5 per cent. Iron; niacin and thiamin intakes were comparable to the RDAs. Calcium and riboflavin intakes were low; being about half of the RDAs. Wide individual variations of retinol intakes were observed among the subjects. The poor dietary situation might be a major contributory factor to the low anthropometric indices of the children in this region

Does prolonged breastfeeding adversely affect a child's nutritional status?

In 202 children who visited a children's hospital in the city of Accra, Ghana, breastfeeding beyond the age of 19 months was found to be associated with malnutrition. The effect of weaning on food intake was then studied in 15 breastfed malnourished children in a rural community. Before weaning (complete cessation of breast-feeding) protein and energy intakes of all the malnourished children were about half those of 5 normal children. 10 of the malnourished children were weaned, and their intakes rose to the levels of the normal children; the 5 who continued breastfeeding maintained their low intakes. These results indicate that prolonged breastfeeding can reduce total food intake and thus predispose to malnutrition. They also suggest that in Ghana and other developing countries the proper weaning age may be about 18 months.

PIP: In 202 children who visited a children's hospital in the city of Accra, Ghana, breastfeeding beyond the age of 19 months was found to be associated with malnutrition. The effect of weaning on food intake was then studied in 15 breastfed malnourished children in a rural community. Before weaning, protein and energy intakes of all the malnourished children were about 1/2 those of 5 normal children. 10 of the malnourished children were weaned, and their intakes rose to the levels of the normal children; the 5 who continued breastfeeding maintained their low intakes. These results indicate that prolonged breastfeeding can reduce total food intake and thus predispose to malnutrition. They also suggest that in Ghana and other developing countries the proper weaning age may be about 18 months. It is suggested that, when breastfed children who are over 12 months old show reluctance to take supplementary foods, they should be weaned completely to enhance their food intake. It is also suggested that, in Ghana, breastfed children who eat well may be weaned at about 18 months without adverse effects on their health. However, in view of the major advantages of long-term breastfeeding, as well as the disadvantages, more work will have to be done to substantiate these observations.