Nutritional Status of Children Below Five Years in a Rural Community in Ogun State, Nigeria

Background and purpose of study: Adequate early nutrition exerts a long-lasting effect on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of children. Children who dwell in rural communities are at increased risk of developing malnutrition resulting from the consumption of food low in quality and quantity, deficient, and incessant infections. Ultimately, a vicious cyclical relationship between poverty and malnutrition ensues, with a resultant transgenerational inequality in the health indices of the community. This study aims to determine the nutritional status of under-five children in a rural community in Ogun State. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Imala, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Three hundred and twelve children aged between 1 and 59 months who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. The socio-demographic characteristics were recorded in the proforma designed for the study. Anthropometric measurements of weight, height/length, and MUAC were obtained and interpreted using the WHO reference data. Participants were examined for the presence of bilateral pedal oedema. Results: The prevalence of severe acute malnutrition, moderate acute malnutrition, overweight, and obesity was 7.7%, 8.3%, 7.1%, and 4.1%, respectively. A higher proportion of females (62%) experienced acute malnutrition compared to the male subjects (38%). Majority (53.8%) of the subjects with stunting are males and belong to the 24-59 age group. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of undernutrition-stunting and acute malnutrition as well as overnutrition-overweight/obesity among under-fives living in a rural community in Nigeria and contributes to the existing body of knowledge of the growing prevalence of double burden malnutrition in Low-and Middle-Income Countries. Appropriate nutrition is essential for optimal growth and development. Therefore, collective actions of all stakeholders are important in preventing the various manifestations of malnutrition and their attendant complications, not only in this community but in Nigeria at large.