Author(s): Deeksha Saraswat and Vidushi Yadav

Abstract:
The present study title was “Assessment nutritional status of mid day meal beneficiaries of government primary schools in rural areas”. The objectives of the study were assessment of the nutritional status of the children via anthropometric measurements and categorization of the students according to their Body Mass Index. The study was carried out among 50 (including 27 boys and 23 girls) school children taking mid day meal at the time of data collection. The study included children of 5-12 years of age. The locale of the study was Block- Kotwali, District- Bijnor, (U.P.). Observation was the tool used for the data collection. The demographic data of the children collected from the school’s verified records. The anthropometric measurements: weight and height were measured under standard conditions. BMI was calculated and categorized according to the WHO BMI ranges for the Asians. The finding shows that the stunting rate was found among 5, 6, 7 year old boys whereas among girls stunting was reported in 6,7,10 and 11 age groups. All children who were included in the had adequate weight for age except only 8 years old boys who had lower weight for their age according to ICMR standards. According to BMI categorization 56% children were found underweight whereas 44% were in normal category. The study results concluded that the children were not so well nourished as the objective of the mid day meal is to improve the nutritional status of the children.