MST-Department of Home Economics

Permanent URI for this collection

https://repository.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/2521

Browse

Browsing MST-Department of Home Economics by Subject "Children--Nutrition"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Nutritional status among low and high academic achievers in selected primary schools in Vihiga division, Kenya
    (2012-01-31) Atiamuga, Maria D.; Waudo, Judith N.; Mugenda, Olive M.
    Poor school performance is a serious problem plaguing education standards in Vihiga Division. Efforts to combat it focus primarily on facilities, teacher attributes, curriculum and instructional material. A factor that has not been given adequate attention in relation to educational achievement is the nutritional status of the pupils. Since this is an area experiencing food insecurity, there could be a probable link between food insecurity, there could be a probable link between food insecurity and poor school performance. The purpose of this was to investigate the health and nutritional related factors that influence school performance in selected primary schools of Vihiga Division. A descriptive design was used to investigate the relationship between nutritional status of pupils and their school performance. Data for this study was collected using interview schedules and questionnaires. There were administered by the researcher to a sample of 64 pupils, 51 parents and eight teachers in Chambale and Ideleri primary schools of Vihiga Division. Data collected was analysed and presented in frequency distributions, percentages, means and chi-square. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the repetition rates and completion rates and completion of assignments of low academic achievers and high academic achievers. Majority of the pupils took all the three meals at home during normal school days. Carbohydrates are the most frequently consumed among the foods. There was a statistically significant difference in food shortage between the low academic achievers and the high academic achievers. 0There was also a significant relationship between disease incidence and academic achievement. Malaria was the most common disease reported. Concerning nutritional status; 37.5% of the pupils were underweight and 39.1% were stunted. Of the pupils (23.5%) who were wasted 18.8% were low academic achievers and 4.9% were high academic achievers. There was a statistically significant difference in wasting (weight/height) between low academic achievers and high academic achievers. In conclusion, food shortage and disease incidence affect school performance negatively. There is also a relationship between wasting and school performance. It was recommended that both schools and Home Economics extension workers should enlighten parents on the important role food and nutrition play in the education of their children.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The relationship between material employment and nutritional status of children from birth to four years of age.
    (2012-04-04) Oriko, Lydia Akinyi
    This was a comparative survey research. The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between maternal employment and the nutritional status of children between birth and four years of age. A comparison was made between children of employed mothers and those of unemployed mothers. The study sought to achieve various objectives among which included the determination of the nutritional status of children below three years of age, whose mothers were either involved in paid employment or whose mothers were not employed. The study also sought to establish the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of respondents, as well as to establish the relationship between these characteristics and nutritional status of children of respondents. Most important, the study compared the nutritional status of children of employed mothers with those of unemployed mothers in order to establish the relationship between maternal employment and nutritional status of children below three years of age. The data used in the study were collected using an interview guide which was administered by the researcher to a sample of fifty (50) employed mothers and fifty (50) unemployed mothers. This study was conducted in Kendu-Bay Division of South Nyanza District between July 1991 and January 1992. The data were analyzed by the use of measures of central tendency, chi-square and a Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Results revealed that: (a) There were no significant differences or similarities between the nutritional status of children of employed mothers and those of (b) That there is no significant relationship between maternal employment and nutritional status of children below three years (c) When respondents' marital status was correlated with children's nutritional status, controlling for employment, results revealed significant positive relationships. d) The type of food bought, specifically meat, was correlated with children's nutritional status controlling for employment and results revealed positive significant relationships (which were stronger for employed mothers).