Assessment of Nutritional Knowledge and Feeding Behaviour of Children in Some Selected Day Care Centres in Sabon- Gari L.G.A Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Adequate nutrition is useful not only for the survival of the child but also for maximum physical, mental and social development. Thus, Day Care Centres have a responsibility to promote and practice a balanced nutrition education which constitutes knowledge in Child nutrition and feeding behaviour and forms an integral part of childhood development to Adulthood.
Objective: The study objective was to assess the knowledge of child nutrition and feeding behaviour of Caregivers in Day Care Centres in Sabo-Gari Local Government of Kaduna State.
Methods: The study used descriptive survey research. The study population comprised of all teachers and attendants in Day Care Centres in Sabo-gari Local Government Area. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the day care* Centres (n=80) and the respondents (n=40). Questionnaire was used to collect the information from the respondents. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages.
Results: Indicated that majority which represented 65% of the respondents have the requisite knowledge regarding Children nutrition. About 20.5% of the respondents were conversant with the different feeding behaviours attributed to children. A total of 25% of the respondents had adequate knowledge of both child nutrition and feeding behaviour necessary for a balanced nutritional education in early childhood.
Conclusion: There is a need to promote nutrition education among day care* Centre operators and to have the knowledge of developmentally appropriate feeding behaviour of young children as this will help prevent feeding disorders and behaviour problems.