Author(s): Dr. Gargi Dhar

Abstract:

Malnutrition in early childhood is associated with significant functional impairment in adult life. School age is considered as a dynamic period of growth and development because children undergo physical, mental, emotional and social changes. The unsatisfactory nutritional status in school going children may not be entirely due to economic condition of the family. Early published literature suggested that other family related factors like household structure, internal relationships between the family members also have important consequences. The Caregiver’s ability and motivation is important for nutritional consequences of the children. The present study focuses on the role of family relationship considering nutritional factors in determining the nutritional status of the children. A cross sectional study was conducted in urban areas of a North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India; by using systematic randomized sampling method to select 150 school going children (boys), aged 10-12yrs. The information related to food consumption and family relationship status were retrieved by using food frequency questionnaire, 3days dietary recall and the family relationship scale respectively. Height and weight were measured to calculate BMI. The mean family relationship score (54.98±7.98) was “good” according to manual of family relationship scale. The average daily intake of energy, protein, fat and Vitamin C was adequate as compared with standard daily dietary recommendation by Indian Council of Medical Research for Indian Children (10-12yrs). Whereas, the mean intakes of other nutrients like calcium iron, carotene, B- vitamins was less than the recommended allowances. Average BMI for age (17.35±2.6) of the sample was normal according to WHO standard. Family relationship score accounted for most statistically significant independent variable other than nutritional factors in multiple regression analysis. The present study showed that good relation between parents and children have good nutritional outcomes in terms of BMI among children, along with daily adequate intake of essential macronutrients like energy, protein and fat, but micronutrients consumption was less compared to the recommended allowances excluding vitamin C and thiamin. So, it can be concluded that Family functioning is of central significance when determining a child's nutritional well-being.