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Nutrition status of pre-school children in a Cape Town township
Insights
This study found high chronic malnutrition in Cape Town preschool children, with nearly half below the 3rd percentile for height-for-age. Acute malnutrition was low, but healthcare access needs improvement.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Nutritional status is critical for preschool children's development.
- Khayelitsha, Cape Town, faces unique public health challenges.
- Assessing child malnutrition requires accurate anthropometric data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional state of preschool children in Khayelitsha's Site C squatter area.
- To identify the prevalence of acute and chronic malnutrition.
- To inform public health interventions and nutritional surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Anthropometric measurements (weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height, mid-upper arm circumference) were collected.
- A cluster sampling method included 872 children aged 1-5 years.
- National Centers for Health Statistics percentile charts served as the reference standard.
Main Results:
- 13.7% of children were below the 3rd percentile for weight-for-age (low acute malnutrition).
- 1.0% were below the 3rd percentile for weight-for-height (no acute severe malnutrition).
- 47.2% were below the 3rd percentile for height-for-age, indicating high chronic malnutrition.
Conclusions:
- Chronic malnutrition is a significant public health issue in this population.
- Low 'Road to Health' card ownership (42.2%) suggests gaps in healthcare access.
- Further research, nutritional surveillance, and targeted health interventions are essential.
Abstract:
An anthropometric study evaluated the nutritional state of pre-school children in the Site C squatter area of Khayelitsha township in Cape Town. A cluster sampling method was used and the weight for age, height for age, weight for height and mid-upper arm circumference of 872 children between the ages of 1 and 5 years were recorded. The National Centers for Health Statistics percentile charts were used as a reference standard. There was a low level of acute malnutrition with 13.7% of children below the 3rd percentile for weight for age. Acute severe malnutrition was not a problem with only 1.0% below the 3rd percentile weight for height. The figure of 47.2% below the 3rd percentile for height for age indicates high levels of chronic malnutrition. Only 42.2% of children had a 'Road to Health' card. The need for further research, nutritional surveillance and health care intervention is highlighted.
