MST-Department of Foods, Nutrition & Dietetics

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Browsing MST-Department of Foods, Nutrition & Dietetics by Author "Byaruhanga, Laura Agaba"

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    Effect of school garden food production on nutrient adequacy and nutrition status of children in Namasagali primary school in rural Kamuli District, Uganda
    (2016) Byaruhanga, Laura Agaba
    Proper nutrition is critical for optimal growth, cognitive development, general well being and academic performance among school going children. Access to good nutrition either at home or at school can contribute to the elimination of malnutrition and its associated health and developmental problems among this age group. Developing countries still remain within reach of halving the proportion of hungry people. Gains of the second Millennium Development Goal (MDG) (Sustainable Development Goal-SDG 4) are being threatened by several factors that including short term hunger. A cross sectional study with an analytical design and laboratory analysis was used. Data was collected on socio economic and demographic factors of the pupils, dietary intake patterns of the pupils , anthropometric measurements were collected from 226 pupils. The meal was analysed in the laboratory for nutrients: energy, protein, fats,vitamin A, iodine and iron. Both inputs and output from the school garden were recorded and these computed in monetary terms. Data was analysed using SPSS version 17, Anthro-plus version 1.0.2 and Nutri-survey. Descriptive statistics such as inean, frequencies and percentages were used to describe the data. A higher level of cross tabulation and correlation test of the three hypothesis was done and P<0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. From the study 50.4% were male pupils while 49.6% were females. About 5]% of the caregivers had attained at least level of primary education with 89% of them being peasant farmers. The most grown crops were maize (97%) and sweet potatoes (87%). The school meal provided a significant amount of calories (853kcalĀ±178) and all other major nutrients as compared to what the pupils received from home. Stunting and BMJ-for -age levels did not change much after the program introduced the school feeding program, an indication that there could be a spill over of malnutrition from childhood to school age. Regression analysis showed that there exists a positive correlation between BMl for age and education level of parent and a negative relationship between BM] for age and marital status of parent exists. Further analysis showed a weak relationship between nutrition status BMJ for age and number of meals consumed per day (r=0.120. p=0.021). The study did not find any significant relationship between schools meals and nutritional status. Contribution from the stakeholders-program-28%, parents-14% and school garden-57% indicated a reduction on the cost incurred by the program to sustain the SFP. This study recommends that a longitudinal study comparing schools that employ gardens and those that do not should be conducted to examine the difference in nutritional status and the cost implications