Dietary patterns and nutritional status of pre-school children in Nairobi.

Abstract

To determine the dietary patterns and nutritional status of pre-school children in Nairobi, Kenya. DESIGN:

A cross-sectional study. SETTING:

Pre-schools in Nairobi, Kenya. SUBJECTS:

Three hundred and four pre-school children (149 males and 155 females) aged three to five years were assessed. RESULTS:

About 96% of the children had been breastfed 46.7% of them for 12-24 months (46.7%), and the mean breastfeeding duration was 20.17 months. The most commonly consumed foods on a daily basis were fruits, vegetables bread, ugali, porridge and milk. The level of malnutrition was low with underweight at 16% stunting 4.3% and wasting 1.0%. The factors that positively correlated with child nutritional status were the age of the mother and father. CONCLUSIONS:

The children were consuming a variety of foods both at home and in school, and this together with the high literacy levels the parents/guardians could have contributed towards the good nutritional status.