African Occupational Therapy Research (Applied) | 14 July 2008
Gender-Specific Nutrition Interventions in Somali School-Age Children in Ghana: Short-Term Feeding Programme Outcomes
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Abstract
Somali school-age children in Ghana face malnutrition issues that can affect their academic performance and overall health. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control or intervention group. The intervention included targeted dietary supplements designed specifically for Somali children in Ghana. A statistically significant difference ($p < 0.05$) was observed in the mean height-for-age Z-score between genders, with boys showing a higher improvement (mean increase: 0.2 SD units). The gender-specific feeding programme demonstrated positive short-term outcomes for Somali school-age children. Future research should consider long-term effects and broader socioeconomic factors impacting nutrition in this population.