Comparison of Growth and Nutritional Status between Children in North Korean Refugee Families and South Korean Children

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to compare the growth and nutritional status of the children in North Korean Refugee (NKR) families and South Korean (SK) children.Methods: This study examined 101 children of NKR families and 294 SK children. Researchers interviewed subjects using a standardized questionnaire and measured their height and weight. The nutritional status of children was estimated using the 2017 Korean National Growth Charts for children and adolescents using their weight.Results: The children of NKR families were significantly shorter than the SK children (140.8±10.1 vs. 146.9±9.3, p<0.001) and weighed less (38.1±9.4 vs. 42.0±9.5, p<0.001). The prevalence of stunting and being underweight among children of NKR families was significantly higher than that of the SK children (stunting: 6.9% vs. 1.4%, p<0.001; underweight: 10.9% vs. 1.0%, p<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of wasting and obesity.Conclusion: Although children of NKR families have been living in SK for 4.4 years, their nutritional problems are more severe than those of SK children.