Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Socioeconomic inequality in dietary diversity score among school children in a region of Southwestern Nigeria

2^nd International Conference and Exhibition on Nutritional Science & Therapy

July 15-17, 2013 Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Downtown, USA

Olumakaiye M. Funke

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci

Abstract :

This study aimed to assess socioeconomic variables and the relationship with dietary diversity of school children in a region of southwestern, Nigeria. 600 school children attending both private and public schools were interviewed. A standardized FAO-published 24-hour diet recall questionnaire for calculating a dietary diversity score (DDS) was adapted, tested, and used to collect dietary diversity data. A structured interview scheduled was also used to elicit information on availability of household assets which was used as a proxy for wealth status used as socioeconomic indicator. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between dietary diversity and wealth status while descriptive statistics was also used. Mean age and household size of the respondents was 8.28±1.44 and 6.43±2.26 respectively; both higher in public than private schools. For the wealth status (39.3%) and DDS (30.0%) of private school children were categorized as high compared to 32.0% and 18.3% in public school respectively. DDS was more related to higher socioeconomic status in private school children. High (OR=1.05, CI=0.51-2.18) and moderate (OR=1.25, CI=0.05-3.16) wealth categories in private school children had an increased DDS compared with the low wealth status group. While among the public school children, only high wealth status group had a likelihoodof increased DDS (OR=1.84, CI=0.37-2.10). Wealth related inequalities existed for children from both school types. Socioeconomic inequalities determined the dietary diversity score of school children in the region of southwestern Nigeria.

Biography :

Olumakaiye M. Funke is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Family, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife Nigeria. She has a Ph.D. degree in Public Health Nutrition in the year 2007 from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She also has a Post Graduate Diploma in International Food and Nutrition Security from Wageningen University and Research Center, Wageningen, The Netherland in the year 2009. She has published 18 articles in reputable Local and International Journals. Her research focus is on School children/Adolescent Health and Nutrition. She is regular speaker at both local and international conferences.