Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: March | Volume: 5 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 93-100
Effect of Dietary Intake and Socio-Economic Factor on Nutritional Status of Primary School Going Children: a Cross-Sectional Study in old Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Susmita Ghosh1, Md. Shah Masud2, Mimma Tabassum3, Moumita Dey1
1Department of Food Technology and Nutrition Science, 3Department of Statistics, Noakhali Science and Technology University; Noakhali, Bangladesh
2Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
ABSTRACT
Though the economic growth of Bangladesh 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 old Dhaka, Bangladesh 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 in old Dhaka, Bangladesh. The sample was selected by multistage sampling from four than as of old Dhaka, Bangladesh. 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.
Key words: Nutritional Status; School Age Children; Dietary Intake; Socio-Economic Factor; Old Dhaka.
[PDF Full Text]