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

ABSTRACT

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