[A nutrition survey among schoolchildren in Brazzaville, Congo].

OBJECTIVE

To identify nutritional characteristics among schoolchildren in Brazzaville, Congo.

POPULATION AND METHODS

A 3-day feeding survey was undertaken in 3 primary education schools in the Brazzaville borough. The study was conducted among 1066 schoolchildren (534 boys, 532 girls) ranging from 6 to 14 years. The subjects were divided into 4 age groups: 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 and 12-14 years old. The evolution of the feeding was studied according to age, and the nutritional intakes were compared with recommended dietary allowances.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The energy intakes were low, the mean caloric intake was 1984.9+/-448 Kcal. They increased between 6 and 14 years, especially between 13 and 14 years, where mean increase was twice as important as between 6 and 7 years. Energy provided by the evening meal was equivalent to 67.5% of mean caloric intake per day. The quantities of aliments taken increased with age. In addition, there were excesses and insufficiencies common or specific to the Congolese children of 4 age groups. High natrium intakes were observed at age 12 years, insufficient intakes of phosphore and lipids at 10 years.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of the observation of the schoolchildren's behavior at Brazzaville, poverty seems to influence the schoolchildren's nutritional status. But, one could propose dietary advices, in order to improve the problems described here.