INFLUENCE OF DIETARY INTAKE ON PRESCHOOL CHILDREN PHYSICAL SKILL ACQUISITION IN IREPODUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE

Abstract

Preschool children physical skill acquisition is crucial for their overall development, future academic success and lifelong health. Thus, a well balanced dietary intake at this stage plays a pivotal role in supporting this complex process. Thus, the study examined the influence of dietary intake on preschool children physical skills acquisition in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. Descriptive survey design was adopted and the population comprises all the preschool children in Irepodun LGA, which is 24,300. The sample size was 373 out of the total number of the entire population. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 373 preschool children and 20 schools out of 183 registered private and public primary schools within the study area. Two instruments were used to collect data, which are, Rating Scale on Preschool Children Dietary Intake (RSPSCDI) and Rating Scale on Preschool Children Physical Skill Acquisition (RSPCPCSA) which were validated. Test re-test method was used to determine the reliability of the instruments using (PPMC) and yielded scores of 0.76 and 0.78 respectively. The research questions were answered through frequency count and percentage while hypotheses were tested using inferential statistics of linear regression, independent sample t-test and Analysis of Variance at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed high level of dietary intake among preschool children with weighted average of 2.98. Also revealed that the level of children physical skill was high, with a mean score of 2.83. There was positive influence in dietary intake on children physical skill acquisition (.870; t ₍₃₅₅₎ = 14.983, P = 0.000). Finding shown no significant difference in children physical skill acquisition based on gender, (t = 16.557, df = 355, p > 0.05). The study concluded that the influence of dietary intake on preschool children physical skill acquisition was high. The study recommended that parents should be encouraged to prioritize the provision of balanced dietary intake for their children and continue to encourage children to engage in various physical activities to develop diverse skills. Schools should design physical educational programs that cater for individual needs rather than gender.

Keywords:  Dietary Intake, Preschool Children, Physical Skill Acquisition.