ResearcherID - CLICK HERE Scientific Journal Impact Factor (SJIF-2020) - CLICK HERE

NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG CHILDREN IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF SARGODHA, PAKISTAN

Sidra Shafique, Dr Khunsa Junaid, Dr Hassan Ali

Background: World is confronting an issue identified with nourishment and sustenance, this issue is named as Malnutrition. With regard to the cases of malnutrition are concerned, measurements remain extremely poor, for example Nutritional status of respondents with approximately infection remains deprived also. Generally, the main causes of malnutrition are elements like polypharmacy, disease itself, and lack of macro as well as micronutrient. Objective: The major objectives of the current research was to measure the nutritional status of respondents, to assess over-all energy consumption, macro also micro nutrients consumption by considering their 24-hour dietary recall and to determine the usual nutritional consumption of the respondents, the food frequency questionnaire data was taken. Methodology: It was descriptive cross-sectional study of 400 primary school going students of age category between the 6-12 years. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used. The pre-designed performa was used in order to collect the information regarding demographic information, anthropometric data, food frequency and 24-hour dietary recall. Results & Conclusion: The results of current study revealed that approximately 50% of study participants were malnourished and greater than half of the respondents remained lacking in macronutrients as well as calories also. Nearly more than half of the study participants were suffering calcium deficiency and it was noted that they were also using iron deficient diet as most of the iron was taken from non-hem sources which are only 14—18% bioavailable. The food groups like meat, poultry, milk, dairy, fruits and vegetables their minimum daily intakes were not adequate but the only food group that were sufficiently utilized and meet the criteria recommended by food guide pyramid were only grains and cereals group. Around every one of the students were taking significant suppers however pattern of snaking is by all accounts low particularly mid night snaking. There should be planning of Nutrition education program with respect to achieve the Minimum Daily requirements of various food groups. Keywords: Food, Nutrition, Nutritional Status, Children, Primary Schools, Sargodha.

FULL TEXT