The dilemma of over and under nutrition coexistence among western Kenya children.

Abstract

Kenya can be considered a relatively better developed country among the sub-Saharan African ranks in terms of social services and yet malnutrition (under-nutrition) is still persistent and on the increase as shown in all nutrition and other surveys carried out in 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983 and 2003. Following these reports, a comprehensive survey was carried out in 2000 to explore all developmental and nutritional issues in Western Kenya, particularly the villages on the eastern shores of Lake Victoria. A comprehensive survey was carried out to explore any health/developmental issues that might have existed in this target group, particularly the school age children. Of the many developmental issues investigated, nutrition concerns were top priority. The analysis of the nutritional component of the survey confirmed coexistence of stunting and over-weight among the surveyed children. However, the impact was more pronounced in boys whereby their respective height- for- age indices were