An Assesment of Nutritional Status of School Going Children & Adolescents in Bahawalpur City

Abstract

INTRODUCTION : Nutritional status is the condition of health influenced by intake and utilization of nutrients. Nutrition is a key determinant of health as under nutrition and over nutrition underline most pathological and disease conditions. The significance of improving nutrition knowledge in order to have a positive influence on food choices and health should not be underestimated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was “Assessment Of Knowledge And Practices Regarding Nutrition And Healthy Food Choices Among School Children.” STUDY DESIGN & DURATION: A cross sectional descriptive epidemiological study carried out from July 2015 to December 2015. PLACE : The study was conducted in Comprehensive Girls Higher Secondary School, Situated Near University Chowk, Bahawalpur. Sadiq DeanHigh School For Boys, Bahawalpur. SUBJECTS / METHODS: A sample of 165 students (100 girls and 65 boys) was taken. Data was collected through a pretested questionnaire to determine nutritional knowledge. Anthropometric measurements including weight and height, measured using standard methodologies. Using the Chi-square test compared qualitative variables. Data were analyzed by SPSS 23 software. RESULTS: The study revealed that 58.2% children were normal while 41.8% were suffering from some degree of malnutrition either under or over nutrition. Out of undernourished children, 27.8% are under-weight, 9.1% are over-weight, and 4.8% are obese. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the students were deficient in knowledge and understanding of the facts about energy and nutritive values of foods. The study found a significant correlation between BMI and gender, BMI and general eating habits, BMI and knowledge on their healthier choices, BMI and breakfast taking habit on chi-square test. Information gained from this study can be utilized to formulate essential messages for many educational programs.