Abstract

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Child malnutrition remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in the northwest region. This study investigated the potential link between parental occupation and the nutritional status of primary school children in this area. The researcher hypothesize that parental occupation significantly influences children's nutritional status due to variations in income, food security, and knowledge of healthy dietary practices. The study employed a cross-sectional design that involved primary school children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. An anthropometric measurement (height, weight) is used to assess nutritional status, categorized as underweight, stunting, or wasting according to WHO guidelines. Parental occupation is categorized based on established classifications (agriculture, skilled labour, formal employment). Data is collected through standardized research instrument administered to parents and anthropometric measurements of children. Statistical analysis is explored potential associations between parental occupation and nutritional status. The study aimed to identify specific occupations associated with increased risk of malnutrition in children. The study established that Mothers' and Fathers' occupations (Civil Servants, trader, self-employed, unemployed, housewife) did not significantly affect nutritional status of primary school children in North-West, Nigeria. The finding contributes to the understanding of socioeconomic factors influencing child nutrition in Nigeria. This knowledge can inform targeted interventions to improve child health outcomes, potentially including parental education programs on nutrition and income-generating initiatives. The occupation of the fathers had similar contribution in the nutritional statuses and their children attending primary schools in the study area. The occupation of the mothers has similar contribution to the nutritional statuses of their children in primary school. The children are compared with WHO standard are Stunted, underweight, normal, overweight and obese .

Keywords: Parental occupation, Nutritional status, Primary school children, Northwest Nigeria, Malnutrition, Food security