Malnutrition And Its Impacts On The Rural Infants : An Example From Kuje Area Council, Federal Capital Territory-Nigeria

Abstract

Well balanced diet combined with regular physical activity – is a cornerstone of good health. Poor nutrition can lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to disease, impaired physical and mental development, and reduced productivity. However, the accessibility to adequate food varies from one area to another, resulting in malnutrition, which is described as a condition that results from eating a diet in which one or more nutrients are either not enough or are too much such that the diet causes health problems. This has been linked to lack of balanced diets, indigestible and harmful diet, lack of regulated diet, environment among other. The study adopts both purposive and random sampling methods; the data were subjected to correlation analysis. The impacts are measured through education and body weight; the results show that, in education the p-value of .008 < 0.05 level of significance at a correlation level of 0.520 at 22 df. While the result of the effect of malnutrition on body weight shows that, the p-value of .174 > 0.05 level of significance at a correlation level of 0.289 at 22 df. In the light of the above, the study recommends that, prioritization of nutrient laden food is central to the making of not only rural, but human society.