Abstract

NON INVASIVE ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN OF A SEMI-URBAN AREA IN TAMILNADU

Suja Pandian R.*

Abstract

The prevalence of both nutritional as well as lifestyle disorders is common among children as quoted by the World Health Organization. In the present study the school going children within the age group of 6 to10 years were selected from two Matriculation schools in the semiurban area of TamilNadu. Nutritional deficiencies among children were recorded using the physical signs and symptoms. Anthropometric measurements like height, weight, mid upper arm circumference were done using standardized procedures. The common nutritional deficiencies identified were vitamin A and skin infections. Thus, from the present study it could be concluded that the extremities of obesity as well as underweight and nutritional deficiencies are prevalent among the school going children.

Keywords: Nutritional disorders, children obesity, BMI, anthropometry.