School feeding program: nutritional composition of school meals, nutritional status of schoolchildren and WASH facilities: the case of a Primary School

Abstract

The establishment of the school feeding program in all primary schools in Addis Ababa in 2020 fed a large number of schoolchildren and adolescents.  It may contribute to food and nutritional security of schoolchildren if its safety, nutritiousness and dietary energy adequacy is guaranteed. This prompted the study to assess the nutritional adequacy of school meals to schoolchildren, the nutritional status of schoolchildren, and the status of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in the school premises. Meals were weighed and their nutritional content was determined based on Food Composition Table for Use in Ethiopia. Data on WASH were collected using structured questionnaires and by repeated visits. School meals mainly consisted of food products made from cereals and legumes. About 91%) of the schoolchildren were beneficiaries of the School Feeding Program. School meals provided from 45% to 60% of calories required by schoolgirls and 35% to 60% of that required by schoolboys of all age groups. Protein content of school meals, however, satisfied the daily requirement of proteins for both sexes under the age of 13 years.  A considerable proportion of schoolchildren and adolescents suffered from thinness (38%), undernutrition (17%) and underweight (51%). The majority of respondent (78.6%) washed their hands with soap and water because of obligatory Covid-19 precautions. Personal hygiene practice among all respondents and WASH facilities in the school premises was acceptable.