(P13-041-25) Dietary Diversity, Nutrient Intake, and Nutrition Status of Children Enrolled in the Food for Education School Feeding Program in Nairobi County, Kenya

Objectives: To determine the dietary diversity, nutrient intake and nutritional status of children in early childhood development centres (4-6 years) and primary school children (7-15 years) enrolled in the Food for Education (F4E) school feeding program (SFP) in three sub-counties of Nairobi County, Kenya

Methods: A cross-sectional design involving 579 and 683 caregivers of children in early childhood development centres (ECD) and primary school children, respectively. Dietary diversity was assessed using the Food and Agriculture Organisation validated questionnaire considering 16 food groups. Nutrient intake was assessed using multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recalls of food consumed at home. The total child nutrient intake was calculated from food consumed at home and from the school feeding program meals offered in school. Anthropometric measurements, including height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age were used to determine the prevalence of undernutrition.

Results: Of the 1262 caregivers, 92% were female. Based on a minimum dietary diversity (MDD) of four food groups, 88% of ECD and 85% of primary met this requirement from food consumed at home. With the addition of school meals, the MDD of four food groups was 100% for ECD and 97% for primary. Among the ECD, all children met the RDA requirements for protein, iron, phosphorous, and magnesium and a significant proportion did not meet the RDA for energy (29%), fat (60%), vitamin A (71%), vitamin B12 (50%), vitamin C (48%), zinc(19%), and calcium (23%). For the primary group, all children met the RDA for iron, magnesium, and potassium and a significant proportion did not meet the RDA for energy (61%), carbohydrate (20%), fat (76%), vitamin A (77%), vitamin B12 (68%), vitamin C (54%), zinc (47%), and calcium (49%). The prevalence of stunting was 5.4%, wasting was 3%, and underweight was 7% for the ECD population compared to 7% stunting, 0.3% wasting, and 7.9% underweight among the primary school children.

Conclusions: These findings indicate nutrient inadequacy among ECD and primary school children enrolled in a one meal a day school feeding program, demonstrating the need for efforts to address the dietary intake gaps in school children.

Funding Sources: Children Investment Fund Foundation and ELMA Philanthropies