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Nutritional status of preschool children in informal settlement areas near Bloemfontein, South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

A Dannhauser ,
CJ Bester ,
G Joubert ,
PN Badenhorst ,
M Slabber ,
AM Badenhorst ,
E Du Toit ,
HC Barnard ,
P Botha  and
L Nogabe
A Dannhauser*
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of the Orange Free State, PO Box 330, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
CJ Bester
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics, University of the Orange Free State, PO Box 330, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
G Joubert
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics, University of the Orange Free State, PO Box 330, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
PN Badenhorst
Affiliation:
Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, University of the Orange Free State, PO Box 330, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
M Slabber
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of the Orange Free State, PO Box 330, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
AM Badenhorst
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of the Orange Free State, PO Box 330, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
E Du Toit
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of the Orange Free State, PO Box 330, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
HC Barnard
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Pathology, University of the Orange Free State, PO Box 330, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
P Botha
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of the Orange Free State, PO Box 330, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
L Nogabe
Affiliation:
Mangaung University Community Partnership Programme, P.O. Box 23160, Kagisanong, 9323
*
*Corresponding author: Email gnmvad@med.uovs.ac.za
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Abstract

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Objective

To determine the nutritional status and household resources of preschool children.

Design

A cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Two informal settlement areas, Joe Slovo (JS) and JB Mafora (JBM) in Mangaung, near Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Subjects

Preschool children (<72 months) of a randomly selected sample of households in JS (experimental) (n = 162) and JBM (control) (n = 186) were included. Standard methods were used to obtain household and care-giver particulars, weight and height measurements, blood and stool samples, and 24-hour dietary recalls.

Results

Breast-feeding and dietary intake in the two areas were nearly similar; breast-feeding was continued for 12 months and longer. Although the children's total protein intake was sufficient, their energy intake was low. A low median intake of micronutrients prevailed, including iron, zinc, calcium, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine and vitamins C, B6, A and D. The prevalence of being underweight (JS = 19.8%; JBM = 18.8%), stunted (JS = 29%; JBM = 21.5%) and wasted (JS = 6.5%; JBM = 3.7%) were fairly similar in both areas, as well as the prevalence of marginal vitamin A deficiency, anaemia, iron deficiency and parasite infestations. No significant associations could be found between household and nutritional status indicators, probably due to the small number of well-nourished children and the generally poor household situation of the participants.

Conclusions

The generally poor nutritional status and environmental conditions emphasize the urgency of intervention for these children.

Keywords

Nutritional statusLow incomeSouth African children
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , September 2000 , pp. 303 - 312
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 2000

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