Abstract
This study assessed the prevalence of malnutrition among school age children
in Abakaliki Education Zone. Specifically, it determined stunting (height for
age), wasting (weight-for age) and under weight (BMI-for-age). The design used
was survey design. Instrument for data collection was anthropometry indicator.
Population for the study comprised all public primary school pupils in the zone.
500 school-aged children were randomly selected for the study. Data were
analyzed using National Centre for Health Statistics Reference Growth Chart,
frequency and simple percentages. Major findings revealed that 26.4% children
were underweight, 35.6% stunted and 46.2% wasted. Findings include long-
term and present nutritional deprivations and prevalence was high and critical.
Gender and location did not influence the nutritional status of the respondents.
Recommendations include among others, that school lunch programme should
be introduced and monitored in public primary schools by state government.
Women should be empowered to ensure household food security.