Author(s): Neha Kumari and Dr. Rashmi Shrivastava

Abstract:
Though the economic growth of Hosangabad is increasing day by day, malnutrition remains one of the leading causes of child mortality and morbidity. The school age is the dynamic period of growth and development. The aim of this study is to assess the nutritional status and dietary pattern of primary school children in Hosangabad and identify the risk factors of nutrition situation. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 210 children aged 5 to 11 years at seven different primary schools. The sample was selected by multistage sampling from four than as of Hosangabad. The majority (47.6%) of the participants came from low-income families, but about 41% and 44% spent high and moderate amount of money on foods, consequently. About 21.7% and 9.7% of the respondents were moderately underweight and overweight, respectively as indicated by Weight for age z-score (WAZ). In case of Height for age z-score (HAZ), 24.3% of the respondents were moderately stunting. The prevalence of thinness, overweight and obese among the participants were 22%, 11.9%, and 4.8%, respectively, as measured by BMI for age z-score (BAZ). The well-nourished children showed better school performance than the malnourished one. Significant association was found among food consumption score (FCS), individual dietary diversity score (IDDS), and anthropometric indices among the respondents. As malnutrition is prevalent among primary school children, so school health program with proper screening and better nutrition education should be recommended as early as possible.