Energy and Nutrient Intakes of Rural Nigerian Schoolchildren: Relationship With Dietary Diversity

Abstract

Background: Undernutrition among schoolchildren is a prevalent public health problem which may be due to inadequate energy and nutrient intakes associated with low dietary diversity. Objective: This study assessed dietary diversity scores (DDS), energy and nutrient intakes of schoolchildren (6-15 years), and risks factors of DDS and determined if energy and nutrient intakes were dependent on dietary diversity. Methods: The study involved a 2-stage random sampling of 90 schoolchildren. Dietary diversity and nutrient intake data were obtained through a 3-day weighed food intake. Analysis of variance, t test, and χ2 with Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test were used to determine relationships among and between variables; P.05) between age groups and sex. Children from male headed households were more likely to have medium DDS (odds ratio [OR] = 3.231; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.037-10.070) than those from female headed households (P