A Study on the Assessment of Nutritional Status among Children Using Anthropometric Measurements

Abstract

Aim: To assess the nutritional status of children aged 5-12 years using anthropometric measurements.

Materials and methods: This prospective study was carried out among 200 children (100 males, 100 females) between 5 to 12 years of age in a rural village of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Anthropometric measurements were observed and data were collected for age, gender, height and weight. In this study, Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) guidelines was used to categorize the severity of malnutrition, stunting status and wasting status.

Results: Majority of the subjects were moderately malnourished with Grade-II (15%) followed by mildly malnourished with Grade-I (13.5%). Majority of the subjects were having mild stunting (22%) followed by severe stunting (15.5%). Majority of the subjects were having mild wasting (15%) followed by moderate wasting (13.5%) in the aspect of wasting status.

Conclusion: In this study, malnutrition was found to be prevalent in 33% of subject as per IAP classification. Both male and female children were found to be almost equally susceptible to malnutrition. Anthropometric measurements can be a vital tool in identifying nutritional status at population level more accurately. Growth assessment best defines the health and nutritional status of children as health and nutrition inconveniency directly hinders child growth. It is crucial that the nation should initiate timely measures to overcome malnutrition crisis by the improving nutritional status of its citizens which is imperative for a nation in its road to development.