article = {JFNM-2020-3-101}
title = {Food, Health Habits and Anthropometric Indices of Under-Five Aged Children in Imo State, Nigeria}
journal = {Journal of Food Nutrition and Metabolism}
year = {2020}
issn = {2674-2411}
doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.JFNM.2020.03.01}
url = {https://www.sciencerepository.org/food-health-habits-and-anthropometric-indices-of-under-five-aged-children_JFNM-2020-3-101 
author = {E.N. Onyeneke ,Amadi JC,Anyanwu HO,Ekeogu EC,C.E. Enyoh,}
keywords = {Food, health habits, anthropometric indices}
abstract ={This study examined the food and health habits and anthropometric indices of under-5 aged children in
Mbieri, Mbaitolu Local Government Area (L.G.A) in Imo State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional descriptive
research design was used for the study. Research methodology included assessment of nutritional status by
anthropometric measurements to determine the weight, height and age of children. Dietary intake and food
habits assessment was determined using a 24-hour recall. The respondents were mothers with children under
five years or caregivers where the mother did not live with the child. Using interviewer-administered
questionnaire, information on socio-demographics, dietary history/pattern, food habits, health information
and anthropometric measurements of selected pupils was obtained. Data collected were summarised and
analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) programme. Results from analysed data were
presented in frequencies, percentages and means. Findings of the study showed that 7.6% and 6.5% of the
children were moderately and severely stunted, 1.1% and 5.4% were moderately and severely wasted, 10.9%
and 7.6% were moderately and severely overweight and 6.5% and 1.1% were moderately and severely
underweight. Spearman correlation coefficient tests were used to determine relationships between dietary
intake, food habit, health and nutritional status of children under five years. A level of P≤0.05 was used to
indicate statistical significance in all analysis.
}