Feeding Practices and Nutritional Parameters of Children Aged 6-14 Years from Cameroon
Malnutrition in all the forms is highly prevalent in Cameroon. The aim of this study was to evaluate some nutritional parameters of children aged of 6 to 14 years in Douala. The study evaluated nutritional status of 265 children of 6 to 9 years (63.9%) and 10-14 years (36.1%) using anthropometric measures and albuminemia of 99 children, determined by the colorimetric method. Foods habits and practices were assessed using questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed by Graph Pad prism version 5. Stunting, wasting and overweight were observed at 18.0 %, 5.1 % and 16 % respectively. Stunting was frequent in families of more than 5 persons and in those with illiterate mothers. There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between the average albuminemia of stunted children (38.1 ± 7.7g/l) and that of non stunted children (48.7± 11.1 g/l). The daily energy intake of the boys ranged between 89.5% and 100.6% of their energy requirement, and that of girls ranging between 100.9% and 114.1%. The foods of those children were diversified but minerals intake were low. Nutritionals problems observed may be due to poor knowledge of food practices and poor food habits.
