Keerthi H Pillai
PG Research Scholar
Department of Home Science
Government College for Women
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (India)
Dr Jyothi H
Assistant Professor
Department of Home Science
Government College for Women
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (India)
Dr Garima Gupta
Assistant Professor
Department of Home Science
Government College for Women
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (India)
Abstract
The background of this study is to find out the nutritional status of preschool children in rural areas of Ernakulum district. Nutritional status of a child can be assessed using various anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, head circumference, chest circumference, mid upper arm circumference etc. By assessing the food habits and socio economic status of children nutritional status of each children can be assessed. The approach used in this method was survey method. About 100 samples were selected using simple random sampling. Data in this research were collected based on socio economic status, food frequency score, anthropometric measurements. Studies were carried out among different age groups ranging from 12 months to 59 months. It was found out that their socio economic status and parent’s awareness about health is better. So their children food frequency is also good. Data is analysed based on z- score. To find out the nutritional status statistical measures such as weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ), Weight for length are used. It is found out that among malnourished population most of them belongs to -2SD category. That is under weight or wasted. Very few samples belongs to -3SD category. While considering the Z-Score among age group 12-23 months and 24-35 months no children belongs to Z- Score -3 SD category. That is no one is severely underweight. About 22.2% of the sample belongs to the category -2 SD among age group 36- 47 month. That is they are under weight. It is the highest among all age group. That is age group with more number of underweight children is in 36- 47 month. While considering the whole male category 14.4% falls in Z < – 2SD and 6% with Z< – 3SD. Under female 12% falls below Z< -2SD and 2% with Z< -3SD. About an average of 10% suffers underweight in the whole group while 26.5% suffers wasting in the whole group. As per the Z- Score of WHO 22.2% of the samples belong to the category of moderate malnutrition. Considering the male category 14.4% had moderate malnutrition and 6% had severe malnutrition which is known as HAM (Hospital Acquired Malnutrition). In case of the female category the percentile is little bit better that is 12% moderate and 2% HAM (Hospital Acquired Malnutrition).
Key words: HAM (Hospital Acquired Malnutrition), Height for Age (HAZ), Weight for Age (WAZ) and Weight for Height (WHZ).
