Nutritional Status of Participating and Non-participating Pupils in the Ghana School Feeding Programme

Abstract

The Ghana Demographic Health Survey indicates that the major nutritional challenges in Ghana among school children are protein-energy malnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies. School Feeding Programmes are one of the main interventions addressing malnutrition and its related effects on children’s health and education. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of Ghana School Feeding Programme on nutritional status of school children in Atwima-Nwabiagya District of Ashanti Region, Ghana. A total of 234 pupils between 9 and 17 years of age, comprising 114 participants and 120 non-participants from three participating and three non-participating schools, respectively, with similar characteristics, took part in the study. It was hypothesized that the nutritional status of participants was better than that of non-participants. Results did not indicate any association between the school lunch and nutritional status. There was no statistically significant difference in the nutritional status of participants and non-participants. The programme did not impact the nutritional status of participants.