PHYSICAL GROWTH AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS ASSESSMENT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN OF 6-12 YEARS IN SOCIOECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED AREAS OF RURAL BURHANPUR (MADHYA PRADESH)

Abstract

Stronger immunity, fewer illnesses, improved health, and a productive society are all results of good nutrition. The majority of school-age children in India are undernourished or malnourished. Anthropometry is a quick and easy way to evaluate a child's dietary and socioeconomic status as they grow. Physical development, measured by weight and height, is seen as a crucial indicator of a community's growth and progress. So the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of stunting and wasting. 150 children between the ages of 6 and 12 from socioeconomically deprived parts of rural Burhanpur were selected using the purposive sampling (volunteering) method and their heights and weights assessed using standardised techniques. Weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) and Height for age Z (HAZ) scores were calculated, and WHO growth references were used to categorise nutritional status. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight children was found very high. . The overall prevalence of stunting was 72%, wasting was 77.94% and underweight students for their age were 66.73% as per WHO's international standards.School-aged children are frequently left out of surveys and surveillance programmes for nutrition and health. Therefore, there is a need for a nationwide health and nutritional survey that includes school-age children. The government of India needs to start a comprehensive nutrition education programme. Hence nutrition intervention programs should be launched among school children of rural Burhanpur district.