The role of micronutrients in child health: A review of the literature

The health and well being of children depend upon the interaction between their genetic potential and exogenous factors like adequacy of nutrition, safety of the environment, social interaction andstimulation. Micronutrients which are nutrients that are only needed by the body in minute amounts play leading roles in the production of enzymes, hormones and other substances and also help toregulate growth activity, development and functioning of the immune and reproductive systems. Micronutrient deficiency, which has been considered as a major risk factor in child survival in Nigeria,increases the risk of death from common diseases such as acute gastroenteritis, pneumonia and measles. Dietary practices frequently seen in children from both developed and developing countriessuch as frequent consumption of nutrient-poor foods (as unhealthy snacks), and the “refusal” to take green leafy vegetables and fruits compromise their intake of micronutrients (such as zinc, iodine,vitamin A, iron, folate and selenium) from dietary sources. This paper reviews the role of micronutrients in child health and the importance of consuming green leafy vegetables, soy beans, seasonal fruits,milk, dairy products, fish, eggs, chicken and other food stuffs. The consumption of these foods will prevent the occurrence of common day to day infections in children, enable the society produce healthy children with solid foundation and ensure optimal human resource development

Dietary Habits and Nutritional Status of Rural School Age Children in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the dietary habits and nutritional status of rural school age children in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 360 school children aged 5 – 14 years (194 males and 166 females) were selected through a multi stage random sampling procedure. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on children’s family characteristics, parents’ socio-economic characteristics; and their dietary habits. The heights and weights of the children were measured using approved methods. Age was accessed using documentary evidences provided by parents. The WHO reference body mass index (BMI)-for-age was used to classify the children. Data obtain were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. Results: The children were from predominantly farming communities and consumed highly monotonous diets. 24-hour dietary recall showed that majority of the respondents ate cassava-baseddiets for breakfast and dinner quite often. Less than 2.0% of the respondents consumed chicken, egg and meat. Although most of the children reported that they consumed fruits, 24hour dietary recall showed tha

Consumption patterns and intra-household roles in the production, processing and marketing of soyabeans in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Benue State, Nigeria

The study determined the consumption patterns and intra-household roles in the production, processing and marketing of soyabeans in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Benue State, Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data from a sample of 80 randomly selected respondents from ten extension blocks. Findings indicated that majority (71.3%) of the households prepared their soyabeans farm manually while family and hired labour (66.3%) were the major sources of labour. Sixty per cent of the respondents grew sole soyabeans on their farm. Majority (75%) of the respondents grew improved varieties of soyabeans and majority (97.5%) of the respondents also used planting methods recommended by the Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority. More than half of the respondents consumed soyabeans on daily basis mostly in form of paste. Adult males played major roles in acquisition of land, site selection, purchasing of fertilizers and herbicides as well as agro-chemical application. Adult males, females and children were more involved in land preparation, weeding and harvesting of soyabeans. The study further showed that the serious constraints experienced by farmers in soyabeans production, processing and marketing include high cost of hiring tractors, high cost of fertilizers and other agro-chemicals and lack of finance. This study recommended the provision of institutional loans and credit facilities to encourage farmers to produce more soyabeans