Dietary diversity among school age children in Merawi town, Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2018: a community based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition with its constituents of protein energy malnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies continues to be a major health burden in low and middle-income countries. To end all forms of malnutrition, we need to address poverty, which is associated with the insecure supply of food and diversified nutrition. The objective of this study was to determine the level of dietary diversity and household food security among urban school-age children in Merawi town, Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Merawi town among 422 households having school age children from April 1 to June 15, 2018. The association between dietary diversity and determinants was assessed using binary logistic regression analysis. Socio-demographic, maternal and child related variables; food security and diversity determinants were studied. Results: The overall level of good dietary diversity was 91.7%, i.e.; 8.3% had a low, 59.1% had a good, 32.6% had better dietary diversity, respectively. Most households (95.2%) were secured with food access. The factors associated with good dietary diversity were the age of the child [AOR = 0.31 (0.14, 0.70)], and access to information [AOR = 3.18 (1.07,9.47)]. Conclusion: The prevalence of good dietary diversity was relatively high. Among different socio-cultural and economic factors studied, age of the child and access to information were the factors associated with dietary diversity. Increasing maternal and child awareness towards good dietary diversity practices through the mass media (radio and Television) and working with mothers with early school-age children to improve dietary diversity are recommended.

Dietary diversity and associated factors among school-aged children and adolescents in Lokossa district of southern Benin: a cross-sectional study

“…This finding concurs with previous studies among Beninese in all age groups and settings reported to have low dietary diversity 28 39. Studies in Southwest Ethiopia3 and Amhara region, Ethiopia40 reported an inadequately diversified of 20% and 8.3%, respectively, which are lower than our study. Studies in eastern Uganda4 and South Africa,3 both reported a higher dietary diversity of 45.3% and 61%, respectively, among schoolchildren and adolescents.…”

“…The relationship between household socioeconomic status and dietary diversity in this paper is in compliance with findings of previous studies 10 40. Similarly, a review concluded that the household socioeconomic status positively correlated to the dietary diversity of the schoolchildren and adolescents 4.…”

“…42 43 It is a fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially among schoolchildren and adolescents, because it plays a role in alleviating short-term hunger, thereby improving cognition, short-term memory and concentration. 40 44 Moreover, as the breakfast consumption of schoolchildren and adolescents increased, they had a better chance of getting adequate nutrient intake, especially micronutrients and also, a better overall diet quality. 45 46 …”

Determinants of nutritional status among primary school students in Dilla Town; Application of an ordinal logistic regression model

“…For example, Africa is the only region where the number of malnourished children continues to rise – from 50 million in 2000 to 59 million in 2018 [ 8 ]. In developing nations, undernutrition in school-age children (SAC) has been connected to poor nutritional intake, limited access to food, food insecurity in the home, hygienic habits, and family socioeconomic status [ [9] , [10] , [11] ]. Low school enrolment, high absenteeism, school dropout, poor academic performance, and poor general well-being are all frequently attributed to undernutrition at this stage [ [12] , [13] , [14] ].…”

The Facilitators and Barriers of Adopting Amylase-Rich Flour to Enhance Complementary Foods in the Kersa District Community of Eastern Ethiopia

“…The poor dietary quality is attributed to low food availability, low family income, and associated inadequate food access [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ], resulting in child malnutrition. According to the cost of hunger estimates for Ethiopia, child malnutrition causes 4.4 million annual additional morbidity episodes and 28% of under-five mortality in Ethiopia.…”