Nutritional Status of Preschool Children Assessed by Anthropometric Indicators

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of preschool children in the semi urban areas

using anthropometric indicators.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place & Duration: Department of Community Medicine, KMU Institute of Medical sciences Kohat, from

January to February 2011

Material & Methods: One hundred preschool children from the semi-urban areas of Karak, Khyber Pukhtun

khawa were assessed for their nutritional status using anthropometric indicators. The age range of the children

was 24 72 months (2-6 years) based on their birth certificates or immunization cards. The children were grouped

according to the age into three groups i.e.24-36, 37-48 and 49-72 months. The age, weight (WT) and height (HT)

were recorded using the applicable tools. The nutritional status was assessed and the means were compared with

the norms using appropriate references i.e. Modified Gomez Classification (MGC) World Health Organization

(WHO). The data collected for the indicators, were processed for means and standard deviation of the means using

descriptive statistics.

Results: Out of the 100 children 33 percent were under-weight 77% were normal weight. Based on the Modified

Gomez Classification (MGC), it was found that 54 % of the children were normal and remaining 46 % children

.

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of malnutrition. The children were stunted and wasted compared to the reference stature and body weights of the

same age and heights of WHO standard.

Research Limitations:        These data were collected on limited number of children which are surely not

representative of the whole province/country. However, it provides some information and a blurred picture of

malnutrition existing in this particular region.

Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition was high in the geographic area studied, but it cannot be generalized for the whole province. However this study will serve as a base line information for the health professional as well as for future research.