ASSESSMENT OF ANTHROPOMETRIC AND IRON STATUS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SOMOLU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Iron is essential for children's cognition because it enhances behavioural and intellectual performance and promotes the body's resistance to infections. However, the risk of iron deficiency increases during period of rapid growth notably among school aged children in developing countries. This study assessed the anthropometric and iron status of school children in Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos State. Somolu Local Government was selected using purposive sampling. One hundred and forty school children (8-12 years) were selected from 3 primary schools using multistage sampling technique. Socio economic data were collected using structured questionnaire. Nutritional status of pupils were assessed using anthropometric measurements while iron status was determined using biochemical analyses of serum ferritin (SF), packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (H-B). Socio economic data were analysed with descriptive statistic (frequency, mean and percentages). While Chi-square and Pearson product moment correlation were used to establish relationship between variables. Pattern of dietary iron sources intake of the respondents were determined using food frequency questionnaire. Result showed that mean values of weight, height, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and ferritin were 43.82kg, 141.67cm, 11.50g/dl, 33.91% and 49.10ng/l respectively. Results of Anthropometric assessment indicated that 18.2% of female and 12.7% male were stunted; 15.6% of female and 14.30% of male were wasted, while 27.3% of the female and 23.0% of the male were underweight. 67% of the subjects had normal ferritin (15-100ng/l), 19.0% had low ferritin (<15ng/l) while 14.3% had abnormal high ferritin (>100ng/l). The respondents (14.3%) whose ferritin level were exceedingly high (>100ng/l) belong to AC (4.7%), SC (3.5%), and SS (6.1%) genotype blood groups. Findings also revealed that 24.2% of the male and 33.0% of female respondents were anaemic (Hb <11g/dl). 81.43% of the respondents consume less of iron rich food. The haemoglobin levels of the male respondents were found to be positively correlated with their BMI. (r = 0.289, P > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between PCV and BMI of male respondents (r = 0.209., P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a relationship between blood Ferriftin and genotype of both male and female respondents respectively (r = 0.276, P < 0.05), (r = 0.341, P < 0.05). A positive correlation existed between ferritin and food intake pattern of female respondents (r = 0.288, P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between iron status and income of the respondents' parents, (r = 0.276, P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study has ascertained that there is stunting, wasting, underweight and iron deficiency among school children in Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos State. It is recommended that appropriate intervention should be introduced to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency among school aged children in Somolu Local Government Area.