BHAWNA MEHTA* AND KIRAN GROVER
Department of Foods and Nutrition, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail : bhawna.mehtaa2013@gmail.com)
(Received : January 13, 2017; Accepted : March 16, 2017)
ABSTRACT
Malnutrition and anemia is the most widespread nutrition problem in the world and has predominance in developing countries like India, particularly in children and women. The present study investigated the prevalence of malnutrition and anaemia among urban and rural school children (7-9 years) and results revealed that the percentage of under-weight, stunting and wasting was found to be 36, 31.5 and 31, respectively. The prevalence rate of malnutrition was found to be higher among urban school children and girls were found to be more malnourished as compared to boys. A total of 92% of the children were found to be affected with different grades of anaemia. Forty-nine and 39% of rural children suffered from moderate and mild anaemia as compared to 68% moderate and 28% mild in urban area. The differences were found to be statistically significant among both urban and rural areas.
Key words :School children, malnutrition, anaemia, 7-9 years