Nutritional Assessment of Private Primary School Children in Western Maharashtra: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition denotes impairment of health arising either from deficiency or excess or imbalance of nutrients in the body. Anthropometry has become a practical tool for evaluating the nutritional status of populations, particularly of children and nutritional status is the best indicator of the global well-being of children. Method: Cross-sectional study was conducted among private primary school children from class I to V were assessed for nutritional status, personal hygiene measures and their mothers regarding knowledge about nutritious foods. Results: study showed that 19.9% of private school children were undernourished, 8% were grade I short/stunted whereas 10.2% were overweight and 5.7% obese. Majority mother’s knowledge about nutritious foods was good. Conclusion: Each and every child is a victim for dual burden of Malnutrition irrespective of socio-economic status, maternal good knowledge about nutritious food & there is need to be attended equally.

Keywords

• Anthropometry
• Malnutrition
• Obesity
• School children