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An intervention programme for improving the nutritional status of children aged 2-5 years in Alexandria
E H Ghoneim1, M H A Hassan, E K Amine
1Central Laboratory for Food and Feed, Agricultural Research Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Alexandria, Egypt.
Insights
A nutrition intervention improved child health in daycare centers. The program enhanced children's nutritional status, reduced anemia, and increased parental knowledge.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Nutrition
- Child Nutrition
- Intervention Studies
Background:
- Nutritional status is critical for children's development.
- Daycare centers are key environments for early childhood nutrition interventions.
- Deficient nutrient intake is a concern in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a nutrition intervention's impact on 2-5-year-old children's nutritional status.
- To assess changes in anthropometric measurements and nutrient intake.
- To measure the intervention's effect on parental nutrition knowledge and anemia rates.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal prospective pretest/post-test design with 974 children over 1 year.
- Data collection included anthropometric measurements and 3-day 24-hour dietary recalls.
- Intervention involved establishing kitchens, providing meals, and nutrition education.
Main Results:
- Baseline dietary intake showed deficiencies in calcium, calories, vitamin C, and iron.
- Mothers' nutrition knowledge significantly improved post-intervention.
- Anemia decreased from 47.3% to 14.2%; underweight, stunting, and wasting also reduced.
Conclusions:
- The comprehensive nutrition intervention effectively improved children's nutritional status in daycare settings.
- The program demonstrated significant positive impacts on child health indicators and parental awareness.
- The cost-effectiveness of US$20.5 per child per year makes this intervention scalable.
Abstract:
We assessed the effect of a selected intervention on the nutritional status of 2-5-year-old children in day care centres. Using a longitudinal prospective pretest/post-test intervention design, 974 children from 3 day care centres in Alexandria were followed for 1 year. Anthropometric measurements and 3-day 24-hour recall data were gathered at base line and dietary intake was calculated and compared with recommended daily allowances. An intervention programme was implemented through the establishment of kitchens in the 3 centres, provision of 2 meals/day, nutrition education for parents and training of supervisors. Baseline data revealed deficient intake of most nutrients especially calcium, calories, vitamin C and iron. Post-intervention test revealed improvement in mothers' nutrition knowledge and the percentage of anaemic children decreased from 47.3% to 14.2%. A decrease in the percentage of underweight, stunted and wasted was also observed. The cost of the programme per child per year was US$ 20.5.
