Nutrient Intake Is Insufficient among Senegalese Urban School Children and Adolescents: Results from Two 24 h Recalls in State Primary Schools in Dakar

Abstract

Due to rapid urbanization and high food prices and in the absence of nutrition programs, school children from urban areas in West Africa often have insufficient and inadequate diet leading to nutrient deficiencies that affect their health and schooling performance. Acute malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in children from primary state schools of Dakar (Senegal). The objectives of the present study were to assess the overall diet of these children, to report insufficient/excessive energy and nutrient intakes and to investigate association between insufficient nutrient intake and micronutrient deficiencies. Children attending urban state primary schools in the Dakar area were selected through a two-stage random cluster sampling (30 schools × 20 children). Dietary intake data were obtained from two 24 h recalls and blood samples were collected from 545 children (aged 5–17 years, 45% < 10 years, 53% girls) and adjusted for intra-individual variability to estimate nutrient usual intakes. Energy intake was insufficient and unbalanced with insufficient contribution of protein and excessive contribution of fat to global energy intake in one third of the children. Proportions of children with insufficient intake were: 100% for calcium, 100% for folic acid, 79% for vitamin A, 69% for zinc, 53% for vitamin C and 46% for iron. Insufficient iron and protein intake were risk factors for iron deficiency (odds ratio, OR 1.5, 2.2). Insufficient zinc intake and energy intake from protein were risk factors for zinc deficiency (OR 1.8, 3.0, 1.7, 2.9). Insufficient iron and vitamin C intake, and insufficient energy intake from protein were risk factors for marginal vitamin A status (OR 1.8, 1.8, 3.3). To address nutritional deficiencies associated with a diet deficient in energy, protein and micronutrients, nutrition education or school feeding programs are needed in urban primary schools of Senegal.

Gender differences in nutritional status, diet and physical activity among adolescents in eight countries in sub‐Saharan Africa

“…A further limitation is the lack of information on caloric or nutrient intake, which could conceivably differ between genders even in the absence of differences in dietary diversity or food category intake. Inadequate intakes of vitamins B1 and B3, folic acid, iron and zinc have been more commonly observed in female adolescents than in males in sub‐Saharan Africa , whereas inadequate vitamin A intake has been more commonly observed among males .…”

Gender differences and typical nutrition concerns of the diets of preschool children – the results of the first stage of an intervention study

“…These inadequacies are reflected in biochemical blood indices [e.g. [ 3 , 8 ]] and inadequate hydration status [ 5 ] all of which may have adverse effect on health, both at present and in the future. A diet modelling study based on NHANES 2007–2010 [ 9 ] showed that consuming the daily recommended amounts of dairy products would reduce the prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes in children of all ages.…”

Nutritional status of Ugandan school‐children: The effect of age imprecision

“…This finding is in agreement with the literature on school‐aged children in sub‐Saharan Africa, that consistently report an accruing of nutritional status with age (Acham, Kikafunda, Tylleskar, & Malde, [for underweight and thinness, but not for stunting]; Chesire, Orago, Oteba, & Echoka, ; Comandini, Carmignani, Cipriano, Carmignani, Tiba & Marini, ; Fiorentino et al, ; Friedman et al, ; Lwanga, Kirunda, & Orach, ; Saltzman et al, ; Turyashemererwa et al, ). Indeed, school‐children, especially the older ones, may not assume a sufficient intake of micronutrients or macronutrients to satisfy the greatest demands during the adolescent growth spurt, or to experience a catch‐up (Fink & Rockers, ; Fiorentino et al, ).…”