ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY DIVERSITY AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN 6 – 12YEARS A CASE STUDY OF ALFURQAN NEW GRA AND JESCENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL GWALLAMEJI, BAUCHI METROPOLIS

Malnutrition remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among children in rural communities. This study assessed the dietary diversity and nutritional status of school-aged children (5–12 years) in Alfurqan New GRA community, Bauchi State. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed, involving 120 children selected from primary schools. Data were collected using a structured food frequency questionnaire, 24-hour dietary recall, and anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference), following WHO child growth standards. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that 45.0% of the children had low dietary diversity scores (DDS), 41.7% had medium DDS, and only 13.3% had high DDS, indicating poor diet quality dominated by staple foods with limited consumption of fruits, vegetables, and animal proteins. Nutritional status assessment showed high prevalence of stunting (45.8%), underweight (41.7%), and wasting (23.3%), reflecting chronic and acute malnutrition. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant association (p < 0.05) between dietary diversity and anthropometric outcomes, confirming that low DDS is strongly linked to poor nutritional status. The study concludes that the dietary diversity of school-aged children in Alfurqan New GRA is inadequate, with most children consuming diets dominated by staple foods and lacking essential nutrient-rich groups such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and animal proteins. Consequently, the nutritional status of the children is poor, as evidenced by the high prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting. It recommends nutrition education for parents and caregivers, strengthening of school feeding programs, agricultural diversification, and nutrition-sensitive policies to improve food security and promote balanced diets. Addressing these challenges is essential for improving children’s growth, health, and academic performance in Alfurqan New GRA community and similar rural settings. Keywords: Dietary Diversity, Nutritional Status, School-Aged Children, Malnutrition, Alfurqan New GRA, Nigeria