ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the consumption behavior of milk and milk product, anthropometric and calcium status of secondary school children in the selected rural area of Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia state. This study was a cross–sectional survey used to assess the socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric status of 420 rural secondary school children from Nine (9) different rural secondary schools in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State was randomly selected. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric status of the respondents were collected using a structured Questionnaire while urine samples were used to assess the biochemical analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. A P-value of less than 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results from this study revealed that majority of the respondents were male students (50.7%) and more of the respondents (20.2%) were in Junior secondary school (JSS) 2. The major occupation of the respondents’ parents was civil servants (28.6%). About (37.6%) of the participants parent had formal education up to tertiary level. Also, (6.0%) of the participants do not consume milk at all and (49.0%) of them consume milk. The mean height (cm) was higher (73.0%) and the weight was (48.3%). The result showed that more than half (79.8%) of the respondents had a poor knowledge of milk and milk products while few (20.2%) remaining had a good and average knowledge of milk and milk consumption. However, 70.5% of the respondents had a positive attitude towards milk and milk products. The result urine analysis shows that four (4) of the seven (7) participants had a low urine calcium level while the other three (3) were normal (8.60-10.20mg/dl).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE i
CERTIFICATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
LIST OF TABLES ix
ABSTRACT x
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Statement of the Problem 2
1.2 Objectives of the Study 3
1.3 Significance of Study 4
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Definition and concept of milk 6
2.2 Nutritional components of milk 7
2.3 Types of milk 9
2.3.1 Whole milk 10
2.3.2 Milk (Reduced Fat) 10
2.3.3 Low- Fat Milk 10
2.3.4 Fat free milk (skim milk) 10
2.3.5 Lactose –Free milk 10
2.3.6 Flavored milk 11
2.3.7 Raw milk 11
2.4 Factors affecting milk products 11
2.5 Milk as a source of macro and micro nutrients 13
2.5.1 Factors that affect dairy products 13
2.6 Nutritional Significance of milk 12
2.6.1 Quality of milk 13
2.6.2 Microbial Aspects of milk 16
2.6.3 Safety of milk 18
2.6.4 Organoleptic properties of milk 20
2.6.5 Preservation of milk 22
2.7 Products of milk 23
2.7.1 Traditional milk products 23
2.7.2 Reconstituted dairy products 23
2.8 Sources of milk 26
2.9 Dietary Dairy in Growth and Development 27
2.9.1 The Role of milk and dairy products in treatment of under nutrition 29
2.9.2 Dietary Factors that affect bone health 29
2.9.2 Dietary dairy in growth and Development 31
2.9.3 Osteoporosis 36
CHAPTER 3
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Study Design 40
3.2 Study Area 40
3.3 Population Size 41
3.4 Sampling and Sampling techniques 41
3.4.1 Sample Size 41
3.4.2 Sample Procedure 43
3.5 Preliminary Activities 43
3.5.1 Preliminary Activities 44
3.5.2 Training of Research Assistants 44
3.5.3 Informed Consent 44
3.5.4 Ethical Approval 44
3.6 Data Collection 44
3.6.1 Questionnaire Design 45
3.6.2 Anthropometric Measurement 45
3.6.3 Biochemical Measurement 46
3.6.4 Urine Collection 47
3.6.5 Dietary Measurement 47
3.7 Data Analysis 48
3.8 Statistical Analysis 50
CHAPTER 4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents 51
4.2 Socio-demographic characteristics of the Parents/guardian 53
4.3.1 Milk consumption behavior of the respondents 56
4.3.2 Milk consumption behavior of the respondent 59
4.3.3 Milk consumption behavior of the respondents 62
4.4 Attitude of the respondents towards milk and milk products 62
4.5 Anthropometric Measurements of the Respondents 64
4.6 Urinary Calcium Measurement 66
4.7 Knowledge of the respondents on milk and milk products 71
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion 73
5.2 Recommendation 73
REFERENCES 75
APPENDIX I 87
APPENDIX II 98
APPENDIX III 101
LIST OF TABLES
Table 3.1 Classification calcium status 50
Table 4.1 Socio-demographic characteristics of the Respondent 52
Table 4.2 Socio-demographic characteristics of the Parents/guardian 55
Table 4.3a Milk consumption Behavior 59
Table 4.3b Milk consumption Behavior 60
Table 4.3c Milk consumption Behavior 61
Table 4.4 Attitude of the respondents towards Milk and Milk Products 62
Table 4.5 Anthropometric Measurements of the Respondents 63
Table 4.6 Urinary Calcium measurement 68
Table 4.7 Knowledge of the Respondents on Milk and Milk Products 70
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Billions of people around the world consume milk and dairy products every day, though Milk and dairy products is not only a vital source of nutrition for these people, but also present livelihood opportunities for farmers, processors, shopkeepers and other stakeholders in the dairy value chain but to achieve this, consumers, industries and governments need up-to-date information on how milk and dairy products can contribute to human nutrition (Muehlhoff, 2012). Milk and dairy products play a key role in healthy human nutrition and development throughout life, but especially in childhood. This is why it is important to advice adolescents about the need for their diet to be nutritionally adequate especially in milk and dairy products because it is in this stage that transition to adulthood occurs. The aim of this is to avoid calcium deficiency (Gordon et al., 2006).
Thus, milk consumption is associated with a reduced risk of non-communicable diseases such as osteoporosis and possibly colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes. Concern has been expressed about the possible association between high dairy consumption and other non -communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer.
However, the consumption of milk and dairy products, which are important sources of Calcium, has increased from 79.9 g/day in 2008 to 105.8 g/day according to a food frequency survey conducted in 2018. Milk is consumed on average 3.0 times per week, and only 24.6% of people have milk more than once a day. Several studies have reported that an increase in Calcium intake leads to an increase in bone mineral density (BMD) and can reduce not only the risk of osteoporosis and rickets but also the risk of fracture. Some studies have also suggested that dairy products are a good food to consume for maintaining bone. Milk can make a significant contribution to the required nutrient intakes for calcium, magnesium, selenium, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and pantothenic acid. Food of animal origin, including milk and dairy products, can be an important source of zinc and vitamin B12 in children at risk for micronutrient deficiencies (Neumann, Harris and Rogers, 2002). Milk is low in sodium. Bioavailability of some nutrients in milk, for example calcium, is high compared with that in other foods in the diet (Weaver, Proulx and Heaney, 2009). Milk does not contain substances that inhibit mineral bioavailability, such as phytates and oxalates. When milk is consumed together with foods containing inhibitors, calcium absorption is decreased slightly by oxalates but little affected by phytates (Weaver, Proulx and Heaney, 2009).
1.1 Statement of Problem
Several sicknesses occur as a result of lack of nutrients. Some of these nutrients which are contained in milk are very important to human growth, health and the general development of the body. Milk, in its natural state contains several nutrients as identified above, and these nutrients occur in concentrated form (Sarah et al., 2013).
Inadequate and discontinuous consumption of milk and dairy products can cause many side effects at different stages of life. According to nutritionists, inadequate consumption of milk and its products has several important side effects including physical growth retardation especially in children and adolescents, bone and gum diseases, increased vulnerability to infectious diseases, vision problems, osteoporosis, short life, premature aging, neurological diseases, and sleep disorders (Kaheni et al., 2007). Adolescence is a period that the need for food increases and, also dietary habits and some anthropometric characteristics track to adulthood (Safiri et al., 2016). Osteoporosis is a major health problem that is certainly associated with inadequate calcium intake during childhood and adolescence. An adequate level of calcium intake during growth years can extensively help to stabilize calcium level and increase bone density. Therefore, school-age is the best time to build bone mass and prevent bone fractures in the later stages of life (Vahedi et al., 2007).
1.2 Objectives of the Study
1.2.1 General Objectives
The general objectives of the study are to evaluate the milk and milk products consumption behaviour, Anthropometric and calcium status of Secondary School Children in a selected rural area ‘Ikwuano in Abia State’.
1.2.2 Specific Objectives
The specific objectives of the study include the following:
1. to assess the social demographic characteristics of secondary school children and their parents in Ikwuano L.G.A Abia state
2. to determine the consumption behaviour of milk and milk products in secondary in secondary school children in Ikwuano L.G.A Abia State
3. to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of the secondary school children towards milk and milk in Ikwuano L.G.A Abia state.
4. to assess the calcium status of secondary school children in Ikwuano L.G.A, Abia State.
1.3 Significance of the Study
This study tends to determine the status of milk and its consumption behaviour. It also x-rays the anthropometric and calcium status of adolescents, especially those in secondary schools around Ikwuano LGA, Abia State. Due to the degree of deficiency in the consumption of milk and milk products, it is imperative to conduct this study and to provide professional information concerning the consumption of milk and its by-products.
The findings from this study will be used in steering secondary school students (adolescents) towards the consumption of milk and milk products in school and at home by inculcating the knowledge from this study to them. The school Management Board, students, the community health centres, parents and the world at large can use the result of this study to improve on the consumption behaviour on milk and milk products of the secondary school children. It will make the students to know the benefits of milk and dairy products as it helps in mineralization of their bone, strengthening their bones through the intake of calcium. It will also invariably reduce the prevalence of nutritional diseases and improve students’ academically.
Also, this document is intended to be a primary source of consumption behaviour of milk and milk products information generally for students, policy makers, nutrition educators, and producers in dealing with problems of students to take wise decisions or actions to improve their health and to determine health risks.
Login To Comment