KUMJ | VOL. 13 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 50 | APRIL-JUNE 2015
A Study on Nutritional Status of Rural School going Children in Kavre District
Mansur DI, Haque MK, Sharma K, Mehta DK, Shakya R
Abstract: Background
Childhood is a time of active growth in terms of physical size, mental, emotional
and psychological development. Normal growth is dependent on adequate nutrition
and encompasses major transformations from birth to adulthood. Nutrition is a
focal point for health and well being; and has special significance in countries with
disadvantages in socioeconomic and hygienic standards.
Objective
The objective of the present study was to assess the nutritional status in terms of
prevalence of underweight, stunting and thinness among rural school going children.
Method
The present study was cross-sectional study, conducted on 438 rural school going
children (169 male and 259 female) with the age group 4-16 years, during the period
from April 2014 to July 2014. Age was recorded in year; height and weight were
measured in centimeter and kilogram respectively. BMI was calculated by using
standard equation.
Result
The present study concluded that the nutritional status in terms of prevalence of
underweight, stunting and thinness were found to be 30.85%, 24.54% and 10.05%
respectively among rural school going children of Kavre district. It was revealed that
37.87% was underweight, 29.59% was stunted and 11.25% was thinness among
male children whereas in female children, 26.27% was underweight, 21.24% was
stunted and 9.27% was thinness. Hence, high prevalence of underweight, stunting
and thinness were observed in male than in female children.
Conclusion
The present study has successfully documented the nutritional status in terms of
prevalence of underweight, stunting and thinness among the rural school going
children of Kavre district. The results of the present study will be useful for policy
makers in their endeavor to formulate various developmental and health care
programs.
Keyword : Age, anthropometry, BMI, children, stunting, thinness, underweight.
