Nutritional status assessment using anthropometry and evaluation of school canteen menus in Tanzania

BACKGROUND: According to the FAO, an estimated 767.9 million people faced hungry in 2021. To improve food sovereignty, it is necessary to investigate eating habits and assess the actual level of malnutrition. The study took place in two private schools, one primary and one secondary school in the Rukwa region, one of the poorest in Tanzania, with a human development index of 0.467. METHODS: Height and weight were measured from March to June 2022 on a sample of 235 students (52% male, age 9.9 ± 2.6) from the primary school and 297 (61% male, age 16.9 ± 2.8) from the secondary school. The menus of the canteens were evaluated by weighing the ingredients cooked for one week and dividing the estimated nutrients for each student attending the canteen, then comparing them with the EFSA Dietary Reference Values. RESULTS: The BMI by age of children from 5 to 19 years was compared with the WHO reference data for growth. 72.7% of primary school students were in the 50th percentile and 27.7% in the 15th percentile, while 68.7% of secondary school students were in the 50th percentile and 25.4% in the 15th percentile. The menu evaluation showed that carbohydrates provide 79.6% of the diet's energy, while lipids only 10.58%. Vitamin intake was particularly low for B7 (3.05μg), B12 (0.155μg), A (149.21μg), D (0.04μg) and K (0.57μg). Among the minerals, the greatest deficiencies are Calcium (290mg), Magnesium (39.95mg) Iodine (18.63µg), Copper (0.20mg), Selenium (1.38µg) and Manganese (0.46mg). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that children and adolescents are growing less than recommended and malnutrition affects the youngest. The meals in the two canteens show a shortage of several nutrients, easily attributable to the low consumption of fruit and animal products. Although the situation appears critical, it should be emphasised that the schools surveyed were private, while in public schools the catering service does not exist, often condemning students to a single evening meal. KEY MESSAGES: • In a rural context of Tanzania, children and adolescents are growing less than recommended and malnutrition affects the youngest. • A low intake of vitamins and minerals was detected in two school canteens in Tanzania.