Impact of Dietary Diversification on the Anthropometric and Vitamin Status of School-Age Children in the Nawa Region (Cote d’Ivoire)

In Cote d’Ivoire, there is a disparity between dietary intake and nutritional needs among school-age children. Studies have shown that dietary diversification could offer a solution. A study was therefore conducted to assess the impact of dietary diversification on the anthropometric and vitamin profiles of students in school cafeterias in the Nawa region. This study took place from October 2017 to May 2018 in school cafeterias in 12 localities in the Nawa region. It included 240 school-aged children aged 6 - 12, divided into four groups of 60 students. Four types of meals were offered to the four groups: rice with tomato sauce and fish, sweet potato stew enriched with green soybeans, sweet potato stew enriched with white cowpeas, and sweet potato stew enriched with cowpeas and soybean balls. Anthropometric measurements were based on the standardized method of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. Concurrently, blood samples were collected before meal consumption (Phase 0), three (3) months later (Phase 1), and six (6) months later (Phase 2). Blood levels of vitamin A were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In this study, the mean age ranged from 8.62 to 10.25 years, with a significant difference (p < 0.01) between Group 2 (10.25 years) and Group 1 (8.60 years). An increase in the children’s weight, height, and body mass index was observed six months after food consumption. Before the children began eating school meals (phase 0), adequate vitamin A levels were observed. Vitamin A levels decreased in groups 1, 2, and 3 from phase 0 to phase 2. However, they increased in children in group 4 from 0.5 to 0.8 mg/L. In this study, an increase in weight, height, and body mass index was observed among children who consumed the various meals in the study. Furthermore, an improvement in vitamin A status was more pronounced among children who consumed the meal based on sweet potato, soybeans, and cowpeas. This dish could be selected as a suitable option for dietary diversification in school cafeterias.