Determinants of Nutritional Status of School Children

BackgroundA cross sectional study was carried out to determine the nutritional status of school children in Army School, Pune.MethodsAnthropometric survey of 760 school children was carried out and compared against the NCHS/WHO reference standards to determine their nutritional status. Associations of nutritional status with socio-economic status, education status of parents, mothers working status and family size were determined.ResultThe prevalence of stunting was 13.81%, wasting 6.71% and under nutrition 9.87%. Mothers’ educational level, wasting, socio economic status and family size were significantly associated with the nutritional status of the child.ConclusionMaternal educational status, socio-economic status and family size are important determinants of nutritional status of school children.