NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

1.1 Introduction

Nutritional status is defined as the evident state of nutrition of an individual. A person is said to have a good nutritional status if he shows no evidence of malnutrition, whether open or latent. Nutrition is the aspect of science that interprets the relationship of food to the functioning of living organisms. It includes the uptake of food, liberation of energy, elimination of wastes and the biochemical synthesis that are essential for maintenance of normal growth and development (Laditan, 1983). This is due to their easy susceptibility to malnutrition and infection (Akinlosotu and Hussain, 1985; Uppal et al., 2005). Children in this age group require a high supply of nutrients since they are usually very active and their growth is rapid (Ene-Obong, 2001).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Nutritional status of children has become a worldwide public health issue and its assessment has been adjudged the best global indicator of well-being in children. One in three children under the age of five (178 million children) in developing countries are stunted due to chronic under-nutrition and poor quality diets. Without addressing malnutrition, the Sustainable Development Goal 2 of ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition may not be attained.

Nutritional status of children is an indicator of the level of development and future potential of the community. The nutritional status of infants and children under five years of age is of particular concern since the early years of life are crucial for optimal growth and development (Preschulek et al., 1999). Nutritional deficiencies affect long term physical growth and development and may lead to high level of illness and disability in adult life. Moreover, high prevalence of malnutrition jeopardizes future economic growth by reducing the intellectual and physical potential of entire population (KabuboMariara et al., 2006).

Undernutrition among children remains common in many parts of the world. According WHO (2011), about 178 million children under five years worldwide are too short for their age group; while 115 million are underweight. The same report showed that stunting rate among children is higher in Africa and Asia than elsewhere. In Kenya, 35% of children under five are stunted, while the proportion severely stunted was 14%; 16% are underweight (low weight-forage) and 4% are severely underweight (KNBS, 2010).

The primary determinants of malnutrition as conceptualised by several researchers relate to unsatisfactory food intake and/or severe and repeated infections (Rowland et al., 1988; Schroeder et al., 1994; UNICEF, 1998) . The interactions of these conditions with the nutritional status and overall health of the child; and by extension of the populations in which the child is raised have been shown in the UNICEF Conceptual framework of child survival (UNICEF, 1998). The model characterises the correlates of malnutrition as factors that impair access to food, maternal and childcare, and healthcare. It is these very factors that impact the growth of children. Consequently, the assessment of children’s growth is a suitable indicator for investigating the wellbeing of children, as well as for examining the households’ access to food, health and care (UNICEF, 1998; de Onis et al., 2013).

The nutritional status of an individual is usually a result of multiple factors that interact with each other at different levels. Recognizing the role of diet at the onset of many diseases and assessing the nutritional status of an individual, family and community are important for public health. The nutritional assessment is done to obtain information about the prevalence and geographic distribution of nutritional disorders within a community or a specified population group. It can also be used to identify high-risk groups and to assess the role of different epidemiological factors in nutritional deficiency (Kar et al., 2008). The nutritional status of an individual is usually a result of multiple factors that interact with each other at different levels. The consumption of adequate amount of food both in terms of quantity and quality is one of the key determinants, which has a significant impact on the nutritional status (Kathryn et al., 2011).

Therefore, in Oyigbo L.G.A. of Rivers State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Nutritional Status of Under-Five Children and Associated Factors in Obeama.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed the malnutrition is a pathological condition brought about by the inadequacy or over consumption of one or more of the essential nutrients necessary for survival, growth, reproduction as well as productivity at work (UNICEF and FGN, 2001).

The inadequate or excessive intake of nutrients may result from disease factors that affect digestion, absorption, transport, and utilization of nutrients (UNICEF, 1990). Malabsorption of nutrients may result from genetic cum environmental conditions or illness. The most critically vulnerable groups are the developing foetus, preschool children, women before and during pregnancy, and lactating women (UNICEF, 1998).

Malnutrition affects all levels of development physically, mentally, socially, psychologically and physiologically. It thus multiplies the effect of prevailing disease or mortality in children and infants (Huffman and Marlin, 1994).

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Nutritional Status of Under-Five Children and Associated Factors in Obeama of Oyigbo L.G.A. of Rivers State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To assess the nutritional status and its possible determinants among 0-5years children attending Early Child Care Centres in Obeama;
2. To assess the underweight status of 0-5 years children and to find out socio-demographic determinants for underweight in Obeama;
3. To evaluate the three common indicators of malnutrition namely stunting, wasting and underweight, among 0-5years children in Obeama; and
4. To investigate the factors affecting the nutritional status of 0-5years children in Obeama of Oyigbo L.G.A. of Rivers State.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are there factors affecting the nutritional status of 0-5years children in Obeama of Oyigbo L.G.A. of Rivers State?
• What are the possible nutritional status determinants among children attending Early Child Care Centres in Obeama?
• What is the underweight status of 0-5 years children and to find out socio-demographic determinants for underweight in Obeama?
• What are the functions of the three common indicators of malnutrition namely stunting, wasting and underweight, among 0-5years children in Obeama?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There are no significant factors affecting the nutritional status of 0-5years children in Obeama of Oyigbo L.G.A. of Rivers State
• H1: There are significant factors affecting the nutritional status of 0-5years children in Obeama of Oyigbo L.G.A. of Rivers State

1.7 Significance of Study

The nutritional status of an individual is usually a result of multiple factors that interact with each other at different levels. The consumption of adequate amount of food both in terms of quantity and quality is one of the key determinants, which has a significant impact on the nutritional status (Kar et al., 2008). The nutritional assessment of 0-5years children is used to identify high-risk groups and to assess the role of different epidemiological factors in nutritional deficiency (Kabubo-Mariara et al., 2006).

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of this research is focused on the Nutritional Status of Under-Five Children and Associated Factors in Obeama of Oyigbo L.G.A. of Rivers State.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Nutrition: Nutrition is the biochemical and physiological process by which an organism uses food to support its life.