Nutritional status of preschool children in Novi Sad

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional status of preschool children (preparatory group - before starting school), aged 6 to 7 years. The survey was conducted in four kindergartens preschool 'Happy Childhood' in Novi Sad, in a sample of 209 children (116 boys and 92 girls). Anthropometric measurements were carried out in October 2012. Based on the results calculated BMI (body mass index (weight (kg) / body height2 (m2)) and determined the degree of nutritional status of each child. Parameter values of BMI were adjusted by age and gender. Survey results show that 116 boys, 72.41% has an normal weight, under nutrition were 5.17%, while moderate nutritional abnormalities observed at 13.79%, obesity was found in 8.62% boys. The girls have similar results, namely obesity was 9.78%, prone to obesity 7.61%, the optimal weight of 75% and under nutrition 7.61% girls.

Keywords

• obesity
• preschool children
• BMI