Relationship between nutritional status and academic performance among public primary school students in Debre-tabor town, Amhara regional state, North-central ethiopia,2018.
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Date
2018-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: - Despite the great struggle to prevent malnutrition it is still a major global
burden which mainly affects children. Under-nutrition is a fundamental factor which resulted
in delayed cognitive development and under achievement of academic performance later in
children’s life at school. Studies revealed that the extent of under-nutrition in Ethiopia is
established well but evidences about its relationship with educational achievement of school
age children are insufficient.
Objective: To assess the relationship between nutritional status and academic performance
among public primary school children in Debre-Tabor Town, Amhara Regional State North-
Central Ethiopia, 2018.
Method: - An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted. Simple and systematic
random sampling techniques were used to select a total of 399 study participants at Debre-
Tabor Town. The nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurement of WHO
2007 reference as Height for Age Z-score (HAZ), Weight for Age Z-score (WAZ) and Body
Mass Index for Age Z-score (BAZ). Academic performance was assessed by calculating two
semesters overall subjects average score. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation test and
linear regression were used for statistical analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24
and nutritional status was analyzed using WHO AnthroPlus version 1.0.4 (5-19 years).
Result:-The prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight and overweight was 22%, 32.4%,
24.3% and 1.3% respectively. The mean academic performance for study participants was
71.65(±12.63 SD). There was statistically significant positive relationship between academic
achievement and HAZ. Age of child and absenteeism were associated negatively while head
of house, attending preschool and breakfast habit associated positively with educational
achievement of the study participants.
Conclusion:-The prevalence of under-nutrition among study participants was high. Children
not having breakfast and those absent from school perform poor in academic performance.
The relationship between HAZ and academic achievement was positive and statistically
significant. Therefore there should be nutritional interventions during prenatal, young infant
periods and at school to enhance children’s long term nutritional status and their educational
achievement. Students should be encouraged to eat breakfast and attend classes regularly.
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Keywords
Nutritional status, Academic performance, primary school, child