ANTHROPOMETRICS INDICES, HYDRATION STATUS AND FLUID CONSUMPTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN IBAGWA-ANI, NSUKKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ENUGU STATE

ABSTRACT The study assessed the anthropometric indices, hydration status and fluid consumption of primary school children in Ibagwa-ani, Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu state. This study adopted a cross- sectional survey design conducted among three hundred and thirty-one pupils in primary schools in Ibagwa-ani, Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State. Purposive sampling was used in selecting three different primary schools in Ibagwa-ani. The pupils were randomly selected in each class. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic data and fluid consumption. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard procedures. Hydration status of the respondents was obtained using a urine sample of 20% of sample size, which was transcribed using refractometer in determining their urine specific gravity. Data collected were analysed using computer software packageIBMStatistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 23). Results on socio-demographic data of the respondents showed that about half (52.6%) of the respondents were male. About half (52.0%) of the fathers of the respondents were self-employed and more than half (58.0%) of their mothers engaged in trading. Very few (2.6%) of the respondents were severely thin, few (6.6%) were overweight and majority (81.9%) of the respondents had normal BMI-for-age Z-score. About (16.3%) were mildly stunted and 1.2% severely stunted. About (45.9%) had mild malnutrition and about (34.7) had normal nutrition. About 35.9% of the respondents drank less than 1L of water daily, and 81.3% frequently felt thirsty during school hours. Despite 89.7% bringing water to school, only 60.7% of them consistently drank water during physical activities. Hydration analysis indicated that 64.2% were hydrated, with urine colour analysis showing 34.3% had good hydration status. None of the anthropometric indices used in this study; which includes BMI-for-age (χ2 = 22.358, P= 0.615) and Height-for-age (χ2=13.443, P= 0.640) had a statistical association with hydration status and fluid consumption, at p>0.05. However, a significant relationship existed between fluid intake and MUAC(χ2=27.325, P= 0.038), at (p