Study of Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children in Auraiya District of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Malnutrition is a complex issue for India. It is an example of how India is a nation of extremes. Many among the population live in poverty and are not able to obtain as much food as they need. Assessment of the nutritional status of community clinical examination is one of the first steps in the formation of any public health strategy to overcome malnutrition. Pre-school children undoubtedly are the most crucial segment of our population. Undernutrition is a critical determinant of mortality and morbidity in young children worldwide and it is associated with 45 per cent of all deaths in children under five years of age. The major forms of malnutrition are kwashiorkor (edematous) and marasmus (wasting) with or without associated stunting. In a view to know the nutritional deficiency among the rural children, the present study was conducted to assess the clinical status of preschool children of Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh. The study involved a total of 100 preschool children. Twenty children selected randomly from each of the 5 villages of Bhagyanagar block of Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh. The study showed that 58 children fall between 1-3 years of age while 42 children came under the 4-6 year of age. Physical examination results are as presented in Tables 2-6. On the basis of general appearance it was reported that 54 per cent of the children were normal in terms of body weight and 45 per cent were thin and 1% were obese from the village of Bhagyanagar Block of Auraiya district. Sign of Fluorosis namely mottling of enamel in teeth was observed most of the elder children (4-6 years) ie. 27 per cent as compared to the age group of 1-3 years ie, 15 per cent. Anaemia was observed as pale conjunctiva (28%) and Koilnychia (16%). Conjunctival xerosis was found to be very common among younger children group and Bitot’s spot was more common in older children. Magnitude of Anaemia also shows the health status of children. The findings revealed a poor health status of preschool children in the study area. There is also a need of proper food availablity, clean & fresh water and hygiene and sanitation. There is a urgent need for health counselling of the mother/ caretaker to improve the health status of rural preschool children.