Abstract:
The study was carried out to evaluate the degree of prevalence of iron and zinc deficiencies among children aged 1-5 years in sub-Akure Metropolis in Ondo State. Blood samples of a total of 50 healthy, randomly selected children, free from malaria attack and diarrhea, at least 14 days before commencement of the study, were drawn for analysis of iron and zinc concentrations using standard procedures. The samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), automated portable haemocue B, Haemoglobin photometer and digital haematofluorometer. Anthropometric measurements were also carried out, alongside structured interviewed schedules administered to the mothers. Using baseline values of 12.0 μg/l and 10.7 μmol/l for Fe and Zn respectively, the results revealed that only 12 children, representing 24% of the total subjects, were adjudged normal. The respective percent healthy children for the different ages were as follows: 20% for 1 year, 13.3% for 2 years, 37.5% for 3 years, 28.6% for 4 years, and 30% for 5 years. Body mass index (BMI) reduced with increasing age level, but Fe and Zn levels in the blood increased significantly (p > 0.05). The results also showed that the deficiencies were caused by poor feeding patterns, especially the monotonous diets fed to the children during and after weaning period, comprising mainly cereal-based complimentary diets. Increased household livelihood and socio-economic status contributed to improvements in the children’s health status. An 8-week intervention programme, wherein powdered ferrous fumarate and zinc gluconate were used to fortify maize-ogi fed to the children, significantly (p > 0.05) raised their Fe and Zn status. It is recommended that adequate feeding practices employing nutrient-rich local biodiversity should be encouraged to avoid hidden hunger occurrence among children aged 1-5 years
