Nutritional and cognitive deficits of school-age children

• Published in: Nutrition and food science Vol. 50; no. 3; pp. 443 - 462
• Main Authors: Tandoh, Marina Aferiba, Mills-Robertson, Felix Charles, Wilson, Michael David, Anderson, Alex Kojo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Emerald Publishing Limited 22.04.2020
• Subjects: Cognitive performance; Kwahu Afram plains; Nutrition; Ghana; Fishing; Helminths; Farming
• ISSN: 0034-6659; 1758-6917
• DOI: 10.1108/NFS-01-2019-0035

Purpose The purpose of this study was to elucidate the association between helminth infections, dietary parameters and cognitive performance, as well as the predictors of undernutrition among school-age children (SAC) living in helminth-endemic fishing and farming communities in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach This was a cross sectional study involving 164 (9 to 12 years old) SAC from fishing (n = 84) and farming (n = 80) communities of the Kwahu Afram Plains South District of the Eastern Region of Ghana, using structured questionnaires and anthropometric and biochemical assessments. Findings Overall, 51.2% of the children were males, with no significant gender difference between the communities (p = 0.88). Average age of the children was 10.5 ± 1.25 years, with no significant difference between the farming and fishing communities (p = 0.90). About 53.1% of all children were anemic, with no significant differences between farming versus fishing communities (p = 0.87). Helminth-infected children were significantly anemic (p = 0.03). Mean serum zinc level of all children was 13.1 ± 4.57 µmol/L, with zinc deficiency being significantly higher in children in the farming community (p < 0.0001). About 7.5% of all the children were underweight, whilst 13.8% were stunted with a higher proportion of stunting occurring among older children (p = 0.001) and girls (p = 0.117). There was no significant difference in the Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices cognitive test scores between the two communities (p = 0.79). Predictors of anemia were helminthiasis and pica behavior. Originality/value These findings are relevant and have the prospect of guiding the development of intervention programs in addressing the persistent problem of nutritional and cognitive deficits among SAC.