Status Of Primary School Children Research Articles

A comparison of nutritional status of primary school children in two settlements in the Polonnaruwa District

The Ceylon Journal of Medical Science (CJMS) since its re-launch in 2016 is the official journal of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The focus of the CJMS is to provide a platform to those involved in diverse fields of medical science to publish high quality research. This will facilitate promotion of evidence based medicine and thereby improve health care. This platform is open to doctors, researchers, scientists in medical sciences and medical education and students in both medical and allied health sciences. The CJMS is an open access, peer-reviewed journal.

Implications of the prevalence of stunting, overweight and obesity amongst South African primary school children: a possible nutritional transition?

To investigate the relationship between stunting and levels of overweight/obesity among South African school children, using two definitions of overweight and obesity, based on the WHO and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. Cross-sectional descriptive analysis of the nutritional status of primary school children, using primary data from a rural community-based study undertaken in 1995 and secondary data from the South African National Primary Schools (SANPS) survey conducted in 1994. Stunting was measured according to the WHO definition of -2 Z scores height-for-age. Two sets of criteria were used to measure overweight and obesity-the WHO/NCHS standard based on the 85th and 95th centiles and the IOTF criteria. The primary data source was from a rural KwaZulu-Natal community based survey. The secondary data source SANPS consisted of data at National and Provincial level; for this study only data from the province of KwaZulu-Natal was considered. Primary school children aged between 8 and 11 y of age; 802 from the primary data source and 24 391 from the secondary source. Moderate stunting ranged from 2.9 to 40.2%, and mild stunting ranged from 31.4 to 75%. The prevalence of overweight ranged from 0.4 to 13.3% (WHO criteria) and from 0.4 to 11.9% using the IOTF criteria; while obesity ranged from 0.1 to 3.7% (WHO) and from 0.1 to 1.5% (IOTF criteria). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed to be higher using the WHO definition than that of IOTF (0.05<P<0.10). However, good kappa coefficient (kappa) levels of agreement were observed between the WHO and IOTF definitions of overweight and obesity (kappa>0.55, in all cases). The levels of agreement in all cases were less for obesity than overweight (both ranged from 0.55 to 1.0). Females were observed to have higher kappa levels than their male counterparts; they also had higher prevalence levels of overweight and obesity across age and geographical group. Uniformly high levels of both mild and moderate stunting were observed both nationally and provincially. However, no excess relative risk of being overweight if stunted was observed in this study (P>0.05). Caution must be applied when using either definition for obesity. However, very high levels of agreement occur for overweight. There is no obvious relationship between overweight and stunting in this study, but high levels of mild stunting were observed. Regular clinical and epidemiological monitoring of nutritional status needs to be undertaken in South Africa to examine possible future trends of overweight/obesity and their relationship with stunting, and for comparisons with global trends.

The effect of activity level on the fitness and health status of primary school children

The effect of activity level on the fitness and health status of primary school children

Impact of education of parents on nutritional status of primary school children

In a cross-sectional study the nutritional status of 2585 school children, including 1253 boys and 1332 girls, aged between 5 and 15 years was correlated with the levels of literacy of their parents. The study showed a direct relationship between the levels of literacy of parents and the nutritional status of children. When the same was tested separately for mothers and fathers in relation to the sex of the child, it was noted that nutritional status of boys and girls was not different irrespective of mother's literacy level. However, in case of fathers it was noticed that with the increase in the literacy level of fathers, the nutritional status of boys was better than that of girls.

South African Experience with the Use of Red Palm Oil to Improve the Vitamin A Status of Primary Schoolchildren

A randomized, controlled, three-month trial compared the effect of biscuits containing red palm oil as a source of β-carotene and biscuits containing synthetic β-carotene on the vitamin A status of primary schoolchildren. Children consuming either type of fortified biscuit had a significant improvement in serum retinol concentrations compared with control children who received an unfortified biscuit. Using a red palm oil shortening in the biscuit has several other advantages. Unlike the commercial fat normally used in the baking industry, red palm oil contains no trans fatty acids. Because of its high carotenoid and vitamin E contents, the need to add synthetic β-carotene and antioxidant to the baking mix is eliminated. Quality control is simplified. Production costs for the red palm oil biscuit are slightly lower than those for the synthetic β-carotene biscuit. Red palm oil is thus ideally suited for use as a source of β-carotene in food fortification in the baking industry.

Red palm oil as a source of β-carotene in a school biscuit used to address vitamin A deficiency in primary school children

The effect of a biscuit with red palm oil as a source of β -carotene was compared with the effect of a biscuit with β -carotene from a synthetic source on the vitamin A status of primary school children in a randomised controlled trial. Children aged 5–11 years (n = 265) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) placebo biscuit; (2) biscuit with synthetic β -carotene as a vitamin A fortificant; and (3) biscuit with red palm oil as a source of β -carotene. The two non-placebo biscuits were designed to provide 34% of the RDA for vitamin A per serving (4 × 15 g biscuits). The biscuits were distributed daily during the school week and compliance was closely monitored and recorded. Children were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of intervention. Mean serum retinol in all three groups increased significantly compared to baseline (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of low serum retinol levels (< 20 μ g/dL) dropped from 50 to 24.4% in the control group, from 48.2 to 16.9% in the synthetic β -carotene group, and from 50.6 to 22.8% in the red palm oil group. There was no significant treatment effect compared to the control group in either the synthetic β -carotene or red palm oil group. The increase in the control group was probably due to a school feeding scheme (providing 33% of the RDA for vitamin A) introduced during the latter part of the study. Our results were thus confounded and the 'true' effect of the red palm oil biscuit on vitamin A status could not be established. The study has, however, shown that red palm oil can be incorporated in a biscuit and that the end product with regard to taste and appearance was well accepted by the school children. A follow-up study in a school where there is no school feeding is indicated.

Red palm oil as a source of β-carotene in a school biscuit used to address vitamin A deficiency in primary school children

The effect of a biscuit with red palm oil as a source of b-carotene was comparedwith the effect of a biscuit with β-carotene from a synthetic source on the vitaminA status of primary school children in a randomised controlled trial. Children aged5–11 years (n = 265) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) placebobiscuit; (2) biscuit with synthetic β-carotene as a vitamin A fortificant; and (3)biscuit with red palm oil as a source of β-carotene. The two non-placebo biscuitswere designed to provide 34% of the RDA for vitamin A per serving (4 15 gbiscuits). The biscuits were distributed daily during the school week and compliancewas closely monitored and recorded. Children were assessed at baseline and after 6months of intervention. Mean serum retinol in all three groups increasedsignificantly compared to baseline (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of low serumretinol levels (< 20 µg/dL) dropped from 50 to 24.4% in the control group, from48.2 to 16.9% in the synthetic β-carotene group, and from 50.6 to 22.8% in the redpalm oil group. There was no significant treatment effect compared to the controlgroup in either the synthetic β-carotene or red palm oil group. The increase in thecontrol group was probably due to a school feeding scheme (providing 33% of theRDA for vitamin A) introduced during the latter part of the study. Our results werethus confounded and the true effect of the red palm oil biscuit on vitamin A statuscould not be established. The study has, however, shown that red palm oil can beincorporated in a biscuit and that the end product with regard to taste and appearancewas well accepted by the school children. A follow-up study in a school where thereis no school feeding is indicated.

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

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.

Effect of iron-, iodine-, and β-carotene–fortified biscuits on the micronutrient status of primary school children: a randomized controlled trial

Deficiencies of iron, iodine, and vitamin A are prevalent worldwide and can affect the mental development and learning ability of schoolchildren. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of micronutrient-fortified biscuits on the micronutrient status of primary school children. Micronutrient status was assessed in 115 children aged 6-11 y before and after consumption of biscuits (fortified with iron, iodine, and beta-carotene) for 43 wk over a 12-mo period and was compared with that in a control group (n = 113) who consumed nonfortified biscuits. Cognitive function, growth, and morbidity were assessed as secondary outcomes. There was a significant between-group treatment effect on serum retinol, serum ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, and urinary iodine (P <0.0001) and in hemoglobin and hematocrit (P <0.05). The prevalence of low serum retinol concentrations (<0.70 micromol/L) decreased from 39.1% to 12.2%, of low serum ferritin concentrations (<20 microg/L) from 27.8% to 13.9%, of anemia (hemoglobin <120 g/L) from 29.6% to 15.6%, and of low urinary iodine concentrations (<100 microg/L) from 97.5% to 5.4%. There was a significant between-group treatment effect (P <0.05) in cognitive function with the digit span forward task (short-term memory). Fewer school days were missed in the intervention than in the control group because of respiratory- (P = 0.097) and diarrhea-related (P = 0.013) illnesses. The intervention had no effect on anthropometric status [corrected]. Fortified biscuits resulted in a significant improvement in the micronutrient status of primary school children from a poor rural community and also appeared to have a favorable effect on morbidity and cognitive function [corrected].

Effects of the Zanzibar school-based deworming program on iron status of children

We evaluated the effects of the Zanzibar school-based deworming program on the iron status of primary school children. Parasitologic and nutritional assessments were carried out at baseline, 6 mo, and 12 mo in 4 nonprogram schools (n = 1002), 4 schools in which students received twice-yearly deworming (n = 952), and 4 schools in which students received thrice-yearly deworming (n = 970) with 500 mg generic mebendazole. Schools were randomly selected for evaluation and allocated to program groups. Relative to no treatment, thrice-yearly deworming caused significant decreases in protoporphyrin concentrations and both deworming regimens caused marginally significant increases in serum ferritin concentrations. The average annual changes in protoporphyrin concentrations were -5.9 and -23.5 μmol/mol heme in the control and thrice-yearly deworming groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The average changes in ferritin concentration were 2.8 and 4.5 μg/L, respectively (P = 0.07). Deworming had no effect on annual hemoglobin change or prevalence of anemia. However, the relative risk of severe anemia (hemoglobin < 70 g/L) was 0.77 (95% confidence limits: 0.39, 1.51) in the twice-yearly deworming group and 0.45 (0.19, 1.08) in the thrice-yearly deworming group. The effects on prevalence of high protoporphyrin values and incidence of moderate-to-severe anemia (hemoglobin < 90 g/L) were significantly greater in children with > 2000 hookworm eggs/g feces at baseline. We estimate that this deworming program prevented 1260 cases of moderate-to-severe anemia and 276 cases of severe anemia in a population of 30,000 schoolchildren in 1 y. Where hookworm is heavily endemic, deworming programs can improve iron status and prevent moderate and severe anemia, but deworming may be needed at least twice yearly. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;68:179–86.

Intelligence, academic performance and nutritional status in primary-school children in Bangkok, Thailand

Intelligence, academic performance and nutritional status in primary-school children in Bangkok, Thailand

Effect of Urbanisation on the Nutritional Status of Primary School Children in Lagos ‐ Nigeria*

*Paper presented at the Urban Childhood International, Interdisciplinary Conference, Norwegian Centre for Child Research, Trondhcim, Norway, 9‐12June 1997. Effect of urbanisation on Nutritional status of 250 primary school children was assessed among the children of working parents. Children involved were those who were dropped early in the morning 6 am by parents and picked up around the school premises later in the evening between 6.30‐7.00pm in the University of Lagos Staff School. Questionnaires were prepared for the parents to fill including the history of the children, time usually spent with the children from Monday through Friday, dietary information including information on whether they were breast‐fed in childhood. These information emanated from the study 193 (77%) were breast‐fed exclusively for two months while 57 (22.8%) were both breast‐fed and bottle‐fed. On feeding habits, children fed on cookies and soft drinks around the school premises with dinner at home around 8.00pm. Food served for dinner was mainly carbohydrates. No time for interaction with parents Monday through Friday. Average Anthropometric measurements obtained from these children (7‐10 years) were 29kg, 132cm for weight and height. Incidence of nutritional anaemia was very high among these children 87 (34.8%) had severe anaemia, below 9gm%, 65 (26% moderate 7‐10gm%) and 98 (39.2%) had their haemoglobin above 10gm%. This study was carried out in Lagos University Staff School. This school is owned and run by the University Authority and admits both staff and non‐staff. Lagos University Staff School is an expensive private school well subsidised by the University for the staff children.

Effect of repeated dental health education on the oral health status of primary school children in a rural district in Kenya

Effect of repeated dental health education on the oral health status of primary school children in a rural district in Kenya

Impact of Midday Meal Program on Educational and Nutritional Status of School-going Children in Andhra Pradesh, India

The Midday Meal Program(MDM) is in operation in several states of India. This program aims to improve school enrollment and attendance, to reduce dropout rate to better the children's school performance, and to improve the nutritional status of primary school children. A study was undertaken in the State of Andhra Pradesh to assess the impact of the MDM program on the above parameters. A total of 83 schools from three districts, 45 schools with program and 38 schools without program, were included in the study. Results of the study on the educational component indicated improved attendance, increased retention rate with reduced dropout rates, and a marginal improvement in the scholastic performance. The nutritional component revealed better growth performance among the regular beneficiaries in the program.

Nutritional Assessment of Primary School Children in Papua New Guinea: Implications for Community Health

The nutritional status of primary school children (N = 1453) was assessed using weight-for-height (W/H) and twenty-four hour food recall records. Using WHO standards, 21 percent of the students were within the standard W/H. Of the remainder, 71 percent were within 5 kg. of standard W/H, and 8 percent deviated more than 5 kg. from the standard W/H (5% underweight and 3% overweight). The dietary data collected from Grades 5 and 6 (N = 425) revealed a daily food intake of 1.6, 2.8, and 7.7 servings of protein, protective, and energy foods, respectively, as recorded in local servings. Sixty-five percent of the subjects consumed foods from all three food groups. Twenty-four percent consumed no protein, 14 percent consumed no protective food, and 2 percent consumed neither protein nor protective food. The variety of foods available varied from school to school-3-11 protein foods, 7-15 energy foods, and 8-18 protective foods. To improve nutritional status, government leadership in the areas of education, health, and primary industry will be required. All divisions adhere to the National Food and Nutrition Policy which promotes local rather than imported food.

Health status of primary school children in central Tanzania.

Along with an improved environment health education and some limited direct medical care provided by a teacher this Tanzanian project provides the 1st attempt to organize a rural based health information system. Personal details and health behaviors of students were obtained from interviews of each child in the study. Teachers were also queried about general health conditions in the school. Physical examinations eye screening and clinical laboratory tests were conducted on 785 students (359 were from project schools and 426 from the other primary schools in the same district). The data from this study adumbrate a dismal health status of the youngsters studied in terms of inadequate nutrition and widespread infectious disease. As the economic situation currently in Tanzania is not good the best immediate hope for improvement of the childrens health lies with environmental improvements in sanitation and water supplies. This study demonstrates that a survey of school children in rural Tanzania is possible with primarily indigenous resources. Careful records were prepared of the childrens names and villages so that continuing surveys could be made on the same cohorts as was intended. Furthermore some comparisons will be possible between children in schools at which considerable attention will be paid to relevant health education matters diet and adequate medical treatment when necessary with those schools not part of the school health project. The results of this study show comparability between the 2 groups as the project had just been initiated. Eventually hopefully all primary schools in Tanzania will be incorporated into a national health program.

Assessment of immunity status of primary school children against smallpox in a rural population of Bundelkhand.

An investigation on smallpox vaccination scars and smallpox pock-marks, covering 1,055 children in 11 primary schools of a Bundelkhand rural community, was carried out during April to November 1976 with the view of studying, amongst the primary school children, the group susceptible to smallpox in the area. Analysis revealed a vaccination scar-rate of 92.98 per cent and smallpox scar (podk-marks) rate of 2.56 per cent. About 6 per cent (5.78%) children were observed to be susceptible to the disease. A need for carrying out such scar-surveys in various pockets of the area has been emphasized.

Nutritonal status of primary school children in a ruranl area of Lucknow.

A study of the nutritional status of 812 rural primary school children from 6 to 15 years of age is presented. Most of the children came from the large low socio-economic group of rural families.