Anthropometric indices and academic performance of primary school pupils in Enugu south local government area of Enugu state, Nigeria

Anthropometric indices are commonly used to assess nutritional status, health, and development of children as well as the whole population. Nutritional status depends on dietary intake of food, nutrients, diseases and overall health status, and health care practices, which indirectly affects the educational performances. This study focused on anthropometric indices and academic performance of primary school pupils in rural and urban area of Enugu South Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine the anthropometric indices (height-for –age, weight –for –age and body mass index (BMI- for-age) among primary school pupils, assess the academic performance of primary School pupils and to determine the association of anthropometric indices (nutritional status) of primary school pupils in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State with their academic performance. Descriptive cross sectional research design was utilized for the study; a sample of 434 respondents (from 5 public primary schools in rural and urban areas) was selected through multistage sample technique. 420 copies of questionnaire were completely returned giving a response rate of 96.7%. Data were collected using researcher’s structured questionnaire on anthropometric indices and academic performance of primary school children. Data collected were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation and chi square with the use of SPSS Version 23.0 at P< 0.01. The results showed that a lesser proportion of primary school pupils were moderately stunted (2.1% ) regarding height –for-age, moderately underweight (19.8% ) regarding weight –for-age and moderately thin (3.8% ) regarding BMI –for –age. Higher proportion of pupils in Schools in rural area were moderately thin, stunted and underweight than those in Urban areas (13.8%, 9.2% and 21.8%) respectively. 28.1% of the respondents had low score of < 50%, 41.7 % had average score of 50 % -74 % and 30.2 % had high score of >75 % in their academic performance. A greater proportion of the pupils were rated as average. Higher proportion of pupils in rural area had low academic performance (29.9 %).There was significant association between anthropometric indices and academic performance (P < 0.01). Health promotion and nutritional information should be disseminated as a matter of urgency to parents and caregivers of the children because they play a great role in meeting the nutritional needs of the children as well as determining their nutritional status.