Nutritional status and dietary intakes of children aged 2-5 years andtheir caregivers in a rural South African community

摘要

The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional status regarding vitamin A, iron and anthropometric indices and dietary intakes of children aged 2-5 years and their caregivers in a rural South African community. Micronutrient, haematological, anthropometric and dietary indicators were used to assess nutritional status during a cross-sectional survey. The setting was a low socioeconomic rural African community (Ndunakazi), approximately 60 km northwest of the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The subjects were children aged 2-5 years (n = 164), and their caregivers (n = 137). Of the preschool children, 50% had a low vitamin A status (serum retinol < 20 g/dL), 54% were anaemic (Hb < 11 g/dL), 33% had depleted iron stores (serum ferritin levels < 10 g/L), and 21% were stunted (Z-score for height-for-age < -2SD). Of the caregivers, 30% had a low vitamin A status (serum retinol < 30 mug/dL), 44% were anaemic (Hb < 11 g/dL), 19% had depleted iron stores (serum ferritin levels <12 g/L), and 40% and 26% were overweight (BMI greater than or equal to 24 and <30) and obese (BMI 30), respectively. The children and caregivers consumed a cereal-based diet, with phutu (a stiff porridge made with maize meat), rice and bread as staple foods. Quantitative dietary analysis showed that the dietary intakes were high in carbohydrates (70% of total energy), while fat intake was within the prudent dietary guideline of 30% of total energy intake. Median dietary intakes were below 50% of the RDA for calcium, zinc (children only), vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin (children only) and vitamin B-12. These preschool children and their caregivers consumed a high carbohydrate diet deficient in most of the essential micronutrients. The poor quality of the diet was reflected in a poor vitamin A and iron status, and one-fifth of the children showed linear growth retardation. Nutrition education and intervention programmes should address micronutrient deficiencies, with the focus not only on quantity, but also quality of the diet.