Evaluation of Dietary Diversity, Nutrient Adequacy and Nutritional Status of Preschool Children in Three Local Government Areas of Ibadan, Nigeria

Background

Early childhood is a critical period for physical and cognitive development. Adequate intake of macro and micronutrients determines growth trajectories, immune competence, and school readiness. In many low and middleincome settings, children under five are at risk of hidden hungerinsufficient micronutrients despite adequate calories. Nigeria, with its rapidly growing urban population, presents a mixed picture. While urban centres such as Ibadan have improved food availability, dietary patterns remain dominated by energydense, nutrientpoor foods.

This study focuses on three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of IbadanIbadan North, Ibadan SouthWest and Akinyeleto assess the relationship between dietary diversity, nutrient adequacy, and the nutritional status of preschool children (ages 35 years).

Objectives

• Determine the level of dietary diversity among preschool children in each LGA.
• Assess micronutrient adequacy using the Probability of Adequacy (PA) method.
• Evaluate anthropometric status (stunting, wasting, underweight) and its association with diet quality.
• Identify socioeconomic and environmental factors influencing food diversity.

Methodology

Study Design and Sampling

A crosssectional survey was conducted between June and August 2025. A multistage sampling technique selected 450 households (150 per LGA) with at least one child aged 35 years. Children with chronic illness or congenital disorders were excluded.

Data Collection Instruments

• 24hour dietary recall: Trained interviewers recorded all foods and beverages consumed by the child, using food models and portionsize aids.
• Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS): To gauge economic constraints.
• Anthropometry: Weight measured to the nearest 0.1kg (digital scale) and height to the nearest 0.1cm (stadiometer). WHO Anthro software computed Zscores.
• Sociodemographic questionnaire: Mothers education, occupation, household size, and access to markets.

Indicators

Dietary Diversity Score (DDS): Based on the WHO Food Group approach, a score of 07 was generated; a score of 4 indicated minimum acceptable diversity.

Probability of Adequacy (PA): Nutrient intakes were compared with agespecific Estimated Average Requirements (EAR). A mean PA0.5 across ten key micronutrients (Vitamin A, Fe, Zn, Ca, I, B12, folate, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C) signified acceptable adequacy.

Nutritional status: Stunting (HAZ<2), wasting (WHZ<2), and underweight (WAZ<2) were defined per WHO standards.

Key Findings

Dietary Diversity

Overall, the mean DDS was 3.21.1. Distribution by LGA:

• Ibadan North: 3.51.0 (34% achieved 4)
• Ibadan SouthWest: 3.01.2 (27% achieved 4)
• Akinyele: 2.91.1 (25% achieved 4)

Grains, roots and tubers dominated the diet (95% of children). Consumption of animalsource foods was low: flesh foods (meat, fish) were reported by 22% of children, while dairy products were consumed by only 18%.

Micronutrient Adequacy

The mean PA for the ten micronutrients was 0.38, indicating overall inadequate intake. Vitamin A and iron showed the lowest probabilities (PA=0.21 and 0.19 respectively). Children with DDS4 had a significantly higher mean PA (0.49) compared with those scoring <4 (0.32, p<0.001).

Anthropometric Status

Prevalence of undernutrition:

• Stunting: 24% (Ibadan North=21%, SouthWest=26%, Akinyele=25%)
• Wasting: 7% (no significant variation between LGAs)
• Underweight: 12% (higher in SouthWest)

Logistic regression identified low DDS (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.53.5), household food insecurity (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.23.0) and maternal education primary level (OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.43.2) as independent predictors of stunting.

Socioeconomic Correlates

Families with monthly income<30,000 ($65) were twice as likely to have children with DDS<4 (p<0.01). Proximity to a formal market (>2km) reduced the odds of meeting minimum diversity by 1.6 times.

Figure 1 Mean Dietary Diversity Scores in the three LGAs.

Discussion

The study confirms that dietary diversity remains suboptimal among preschool children in urban Ibadan, despite the citys relative market access. The low consumption of animalsource foods and fruits limits micronutrient intake, especially iron, vitaminA, and zincnutrients essential for growth and immune function.

Children with higher DDS exhibited better micronutrient adequacy and lower odds of stunting, supporting the premise that diet quality, not merely calorie quantity, drives growth outcomes. Socioeconomic constraints, particularly low household income and maternal education, appear to mediate access to diverse foods.

These findings align with previous Nigerian surveys that link poverty and limited market integration to poor diet quality. However, the present work adds granularity by linking DDS directly to probability of micronutrient adequacy, offering a quantitative benchmark for intervention planning.

Policy Implications

• Strengthen nutrition education: Tailored messages for mothers on affordable sources of micronutrients (e.g., leafy greens, small fish, legumes).
• Promote kitchen gardens: Urban agriculture can increase vegetable availability and reduce cost.
• Improve market accessibility: Mobile vending schemes or subsidized transport to formal markets may enhance diversity.
• Integrate micronutrient supplementation: Periodic distribution of vitaminA and iron tablets for atrisk children.

Study Limitations

Recall bias inherent in 24hour dietary assessments may underestimate occasional consumption of nutrientdense foods. The crosssectional design precludes causal inference, and seasonal variation was not captured.

Conclusion

Preschool children in the three Ibadan LGAs experience inadequate dietary diversity, leading to low micronutrient adequacy and a considerable burden of stunting. Socioeconomic disadvantages are the principal drivers of poor diet quality. Multisectoral strategies that combine nutrition education, economic support, and improved food access are essential to break the cycle of hidden hunger and to foster optimal growth during early childhood.

Future research should explore longitudinal changes in diet quality and assess the impact of targeted interventions on growth outcomes.

References

1. World Health Organization. (2022). Guidelines on infant and young child feeding.
2. FAO & WHO. (2023). Dietary Diversity Measurement: A Guide for Programme Implementation.
3. National Population Commission & ICF. (2024). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.
4. Onah, O., & Olagunju, A. (2021). Dietary diversity and nutritional status of preschool children in Lagos State, Nigeria. Public Health Nutrition, 24(5), 14501459.
5. Uche, B., et al. (2022). Household food insecurity and child growth in urban Nigeria. Food Security, 14(3), 567579.