Nutritional Deficiencies in School-aged Children

Abstract

Background: Nutritional deficiencies during childhood can have profound impacts on growth, cognitive development, and overall health. This study examines the prevalence and impact of key nutritional deficiencies among school-aged children and evaluates the effectiveness of school-based nutritional interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a sample of 350 school-aged children from both urban and rural settings. We assessed the prevalence of iron, vitamin D, and iodine deficiencies using biochemical markers and evaluated the impact of these deficiencies on physical growth and cognitive performance. The study also explored the influence of socioeconomic factors and the effectiveness of existing school-based nutritional programs. Results: The study found that 33.71% of the children were deficient in iron, 27.43% in vitamin D, and 25.43% in iodine. Nutritional deficiencies significantly impacted both growth (Mean = 153, SD = 49.14, p = 0.005) and cognitive performance (Mean = 165, SD = 50.43, p = 0.003). Socioeconomic factors such as income level, parental education, and access to healthcare were significantly associated with the nutritional status of the children. School-based interventions, including meal programs and nutrition education, showed a high effectiveness in improving the nutritional outcomes, with effectiveness scores ranging from 62.29% to 75.71%. Conclusion: The high prevalence of nutritional deficiencies and their significant impact on growth and cognitive development highlight the urgent need for effective public health interventions. School-based nutritional programs proved to be effective and should be expanded and supported as part of comprehensive strategies to mitigate these deficiencies.