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- Title
Study on nutritional status, prevalence of vitamin deficiencies and morbidity pattern among school children in Mandal Parishad Primary School, Miyapur, Hyderabad.
- Authors
Haritha, Annem; Harikrishna
- Abstract
Background: Nutrition plays a key role in maintaining proper growth and development, to prevent disease, to protect from infections and to strengthen the immune system. Vitamin deficiencies are of great health concern because they have a potential effect on the physical growth, mental status and cognitive development of children. Hence it is important to know the nutritional status, pattern of morbidity and prevalence of vitamin deficiencies among school children. Objectives: • To study the nutritional status and morbidity pattern among school children in the age group of 9-12 years in a government school. • To study the prevalence of vitamin deficiencies among school children in the age group of 9-12 years. • To assess the number of students utilizing Mid-Day Meal services at school. Methodology: Study was carried out in a government primary school in Miyapur, Hyderabad. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to assess the morbidity pattern, to clinically evaluate the presence of vitamin deficiencies and Body Mass Index was used to assess nutritional status. Stunting was estimated by utilizing reference values provided by WHO.A thorough clinical examination of the students was done.A total of 100 children in the age group of 9-12 years were studied. Chi-square test was used to analyze the statistical significance. Observations: 60% of the students had a healthy BMI while 35% were underweight, 4% were at a risk of developing overweight, 1% were overweight. 34% of them were suffering from anemia out of which 21% of them were girls.26% of the students were utilizing the Mid Day Meal Scheme at school. Clinically, 3% had Vitamin A deficiency, 5% had Vitamin D deficiency, 15% had Vitamin C deficiency. The other morbidities include, common cold 29%, dental caries 29%, refractive errors 8%, 11% of them had impacted wax, parasitic infestation 44%, 18% had worm infestation. Conclusion: This study shows that a significant number of children were suffering from nutritional anemia and common illnesses. Emphasizing more on providing access to highly nutritious food, promoting utilization of school health services and food supplementary services, providing health education and promoting healthy and hygienic practices will improve the health status of the children thus enhancing their overall performance.
- Subjects
HYDERABAD (Pakistan); VITAMIN deficiency; SCHOOL children; NUTRITIONAL status; VITAMIN C deficiency; NUTRITIONAL assessment; NUTRITIONISTS
- Publication
Indian Journal of Basic & Applied Medical Research, 2024, Vol 13, Issue 2, p4
- ISSN
2250-284X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.36855/IJBAMR/2024/98215.55566