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The Study on Nutritional Status among the School Children in Varanasi

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Saroj R K et al. The Study on Nutritional Status among the School Children in Varanasi
RESEARCH ARTICLE

The Study on Nutritional Status among the

School Children in Varanasi
Saroj R.K.1, Kumar Mukesh2, Kumar Avadhesh3,
1
DUVASU, Mathura, 2BBAU, Lucknow, 3I.M.S, B.H.U., Varanasi, India

Correspondence to: Rakesh Kumar Saroj (rakeshsaro@gmail.com)

Abstract
Research Questions:
• What is the nutritional status among school children?
• What are the association factor with the socioeconomic variable religion, gender and age group
with respect to the body mass index?
Methodology: A cross sectional survey was carried out in randomly selected of two school of the
Varanasi city. This study is based on the 207 students who schools are going children class LKG to
8.
Results: The normal BMI is 17 percent among Hindu children and it is 12 percent in Muslim
children. However the difference in BMI according to the religion wise is not statistically significant.
This fact is verified by the statistical χ2 test which shows that the difference between sexes is
significant. It may be due to high nutritional status in male and female as well as due to age related
factor. These studies are stated that not only one or two factors are responsible for the malnutrition,
there are several factor which influence the nutritional status.
Conclusion: This type of study is useful in exploring the nutritional status in school children and
evaluating the effectiveness of various health programmes launched by government. This study also
shows that the role of good nutrition in students enables themselves to protect various morbidities.

Key words: Nutritional Status, BMI, Cross Sectional, Anthropometric measurements

Introduction:
Malnutrition literally means poor nutrition- and
technically includes both under and over
nutrition’s. In the context of developing
countries, under nutrition is generally the main
issue of concern. Though industrialization and
the change in eating habits have increased the
prevalence of over nutrition. None the less
within the context of world food programme
(WFP) and assessment malnutrition adequate
bodily performance process such as growth,
pregnancy, lactation, heavy physical work and
resisting and recovering from the disease.
Malnutrition can results from a lack of
macronutrients (carbohydrates, Proteins and fat)
and/or micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).
Micronutrient deficiencies over the body adapts
to a reduction in micro nutrition intake by
corresponding decrease in the activity and an
increase use of reserves of energy (muscle and
fat) or decrease growth consequently.

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Saroj R K et al. The Study on Nutritional Status among the School Children in Varanasi
Malnourished individual can be shorter
(reduction growth over prolonged period of
time) and thinner than their well nourished
counterparts. “Hidden hunger” or micronutrient
malnutrition is widespread in developing
countries. It occurs when essential vitamin and
mineral are not present inadequate amount in
the diet. The most common micronutrient
deficiencies are iron (anemia), vitamin A
(exophthalmia, blindness) and iodine
deficiencies (goiter, cretinism), others such as
vitamin C (scurvy), niacin (pellagra) and
thiamine of vitamin B1 (beriberi) also can occur
during acute or prolonged emergencies when
population are dependent on limited unvaried
found sources. A study done by K. Anand, S.
Kant, and S.K. Kapoor (1998) on Nutritional
status of adolescent school children in north
India showed the high prevalence (53 percent)
of malnutrition among the school going
children in age group (3-5) years. The more or
less similar finding was found in this study also.
(Union Nation of the school Aged
Administrative committee on nutrition
(ACC/SCN), July 1998 SCN New No. 16, pp 3-
23). Another study carried by R.N Mishra, C.P
Mishra, P.Sen And T.B Singh (2001) on
“Nutritional status and dietary intake of
preschool children in urban slum in Varanasi”
based on 520 preschool children reported 75
percent children to be malnourished and 20
percent as severe malnourished.(Indian Journal
of community Medicine Vol. XXVI, No. 2, Apr
–Jun,2001.) These studies are stated that not
only one or two factors are responsible for the
malnutrition, there are several factor which
influence the nutritional status.
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Aim and Objectives
• To find out the nutritional status among school
children.
• To find out the association with the
socioeconomic variable religion, gender and
age group with respect to the body mass
index. And we follow the anthropometric
measurements (weight height, head
circumference and mid arm circumference) of
the students for assessing the body mass
index.
Materials and Methods
A cross sectional survey was carried out in
randomly selected of two school of the Varanasi
city. This study is based on the 207 students
who schools are going children class LKG to
8.The students are distributed according to the
age, sex and religion. Adopted structured
schedule method for data collection and the
work of data collection was completed with the
help of medico persons.
1-Individual profile –We take name, age, sex
religion, class and date of birth, etc.
2-Anthropometric profile- we measure height,
head circumference and mid arm circumference
in cm.
3-Weight-It is measured by weighing machine.
4-Standing Height-For the standing height the
child stands up right heels are slightly separated
and weight is borne evenly on both feet on the
head piece is kept firmly over the vertex the
compress the hair.
5-Head circumference- Using a crossed tape
method, using the firm pressure to compress the
hair is preferred way to measure the head
circumference.
6-Mid arm circumference- To measure the
mid arm circumference while the child hold the
left arm by his side. There after the crossed tape
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Saroj R K et al. The Study on Nutritional Status among the School Children in Varanasi
method as for head circumference measurement
is used for measuring.
No table of figures entries found.7-Morbidity
related profile-We consider the morbidities as
pallor, Anemia, iceterus, Edema, Condition of
hair, Bios pot, Conjuctiv alxerosis, Angular
sclerosis, glossitis, gum bleed, skin infection,
ear infection, chest , CVS, CNS, PA, Gentila
etc.
7-BMI profile- The body mass index (BMI), ,
is a measure for human body shape based on an
individual's mass and height In this study we
examine that Normal range of BMI is taken 18.5
to 24.999 and the other value beyond this range
is abnormal.
The collected data have been entered in the
computer in Microsoft excel 2007.The analysis
of the data is performed by using SPSS 16.0
version software. The association tested by Chi-
square test.
Result
This study is based on the 207 students who
schools are going children class LKG to 8.The
students are distributed according to the age, sex
and religion. This study carried by the
anthropometric measurement as height, weight,
age, head Circumference and mid arm
circumference.
The table 1 shows the distribution of students
according to their religion. Conclude that out of
total students, 46 percent were Males and 54
percent were Females, the table showed that out
of total students the maximum number of
students in age one to five years 68 percent.
The table 2 show that the percentage of Hindu
children having normal BMI is 17 percent
where as it is the 6 percent in the Muslims
children. However the difference in BMI
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according to the religion wise not statistically
significant.
The table3 indicates that the percentage of
females with normal BMI is 25 percent while
for males it is only 6 percent. There is difference
in the percentage of normality regarding BMI
between males and females. This fact is verify
by the statistical χ2 which shows that the
difference between the sex to be found
significant. Where χ2=14.94 and p-
value=0.001, It may be due to high nutritional
status in male and female as well as due to age
related factor.
The table 4 shows that the percentage of normal
BMI in the age group (<5) years is 1 percent, (5-
10) years is 6 percent and (>10) years is 26%.
The χ2=15.09 and p-value < 0.001. This table
indicates that the increasing pattern of BMI
according to the age group. The difference
between the ages to be found significant.
Table 5 difference between mean BMI of
children with Anemia and without Anemia was
found statistically significant. Similarly in case
of presence and absence of Pallor, Conjuctival
Xerosis, Angular Celosis, Glossitis and Throat
problem the difference between mean BMI was
found statistically significant. This difference
was not significant in case of other morbidity
studied.
Discussion
Malnutrition is associated with about half of all
child deaths worldwide. They are more likely to
die from common childhood ailments like
diarrheal disease and respiratory infections.
Who are surviving frequents their sickness,
growth and diminished learning ability. The
present study is based on 207 children of which
46 percent are male and 54 are female. The
percentage of Hindu children and Muslim
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Saroj R K et al. The Study on Nutritional Status among the School Children in Varanasi
children is 77 and 23 respectively. The
maximum numbers of students are in the age
group more 10 years. The normal BMI is 17
percent among Hindu children and it is 12
percent in Muslim children. However the
difference in BMI according to the religion wise
is not statistically significant. The percentage of
females with normal BMI is 25 percent while
for males it is only 6 percent. There is difference
in the percentage of normality regarding BMI
between males and females. This fact is verified
by the statistical χ2 test which shows that the
difference between the sex is significant. It may
be due to high nutritional status in male and
female as well as due to age related factor. The
percentage of normal BMI in the age group <5
years is 7 percent, in 5-10 years is 6 percent and
26 percent in>10 years (χ2=15.09 and p- value
<0.001). This table indicates increasing pattern
of BMI according to the age group. The
difference between the age groups is found
significant. The study “Determinant of
nutritional status of school children-A cross
sectional study (based on 789 students ) in the
western religion of Nepal” by Joshi et.al, stated
that the prevalence of malnutrition among
school children in age group 4-14 year in
districts of western Nepal was 26 percent of
total population. There are many factor directly
and indirectly cause the malnutrition among
children like, women education, social status,
national per capita, food availability and access
to safe water Another study by Jaswant Singh
and Sarthak Sengupta conducted in Assam in
2007 reported 23 percent moderately
malnourished children in the age-group 6 to 10
years whereas 11 percent to be severely
malnourished. And the Mean± SD of studied
morbidity with body mass index (BMI), some
morbidity as Anemia, Pallor, Angular Colosis,
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Conjutival Xerosis, Glossitis and Throat
infection highly affect the BMI of the students.
Summary and Conclusion
This present study is conducted in a school
consisting the student of LKG to eight in slum
area In Varanasi district. The collected data is
analyzed according to the various socio
economic and demographic charactertics of the
students. The average BMI was found to be less
in the various types of the diseases with the
exception Throat infection, Uterus, and Hair
problem in comparison in those students who
had not these problems. The differences in
average BMI are found to be statistically
significant in only the diseases Pallor, Anemia,
Conjunctivas Xerosis, Angular Clelosis,
Glossitis and throat infection.
References-
[1]. O.P Ghai, essential pediatrics, Delhi, Mehta
publisher fifth edition.
[2]. K.Park, Text book of preventive and social
medicine, Jabalpur Banarsi das bhanot
publisher nineteenth edition.
[3]. National Family Health Survey -3
International Institute of Population Science.
[4]. WHO/UNICEF (1978) primary Health care
HFA sr. No. 1.
[5]. ARC/MRC (1998) Food and Nutritional
Research, London, HMSO.
[6]. WHO (1998) World Health Repot 1998,Life
in the 21th century, Avision of all, Report of
Diractor Genral, WHO.
[7]. Govt. of India (1968). Report of the health
survey and planning committee.
[8]. World Health organization, Physical Status:
The use and interpretation of
Anthropometry. Technical Report Series
854,Geneva WHO 1995 pp263-308.
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 Saroj R K et al. The Study on Nutritional Status among the School Children in Varanasi

[9]. WHO Measuring Changing in nutritional status of primary school children in rural
status, Geneva (WHO) 1983 pp.63-74. area of Lucknow.(Indian Journal of
[10]. Diet and nutritional status of rural Pediatrics Vol-35, Nov- 2007, pp 314-326,
adolescent in India. By K. verkaiah, M.U. DOI: 10:1007/BF02811164).
Nayak , K. Vijayaraghavan ( National [12]. This study done by the Osei Akoto, Houser
Insitute of nutrituional, Indian Council of Robert ,Basu Saraswati, Joshi, Tripti,
Medical Research Hydrabad 500007 Harmer Devision “nutritional status of
India.(European journal of clinical nutrition, primary school children in Garwal,
(11)Nov 2002, Vol-56, PP.1119-1125). Himalayan Village of India”(food and
[11]. This study carried by the P.S. Gill, B.G. Nutrition Bulletin Vol. 31 Nov 2, June2010 ,
Prasad and R.N. Srivastava “Nuritional pp 221-233(13) .

Table 1: Demographic data of Students. Table -2: Religion wise association with
BMI of the children
Religion Frequency Percent (%)
Hindu 159 76.8 Body Mass Index
Muslim 48 23.2 Religion Total Sig.
Abnor
Total 207 100 Normal
mal
Sex 132 159
Male 95 45.9 Hindu 27 (17%)
(83%) (76.81%) χ2=0.55,
Female 112 54.1 42 6 48 df =1
Muslims
Total 207 100 (87.5%) (12.5%) (23.18%) P=
Age (years) 174 33 207 0.457
Total
1-5 14 68 (84.05) (15.99%) 100%
6-10 94 45.4
>10 99 47.8
Table -3: Sex wise association with BMI of
Total 207 100 children
Education
LKG
24 11.6 Body Mass Index
&UKG(0) Sex Sig.
1 31 15 Abnormal Normal
2 29 14 90 5
Male
3 23 11.1 (94.7%) (5.3%)
χ2=14.94,
4 25 12.1 84 28
Female df =1,
5 22 10.6 (75%) (25%)
P < 0.001
6 22 10.6 174 33
Total
7 19 9.2 (84.05%) (15.99%)
8 12 5.8
Total 207 100

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 Saroj R K et al. The Study on Nutritional Status among the School Children in Varanasi

Table -4: Age wise association with BMI of the children

Age group Body Mass Index Significance

(Years) Abnormal Normal χ2 =14.94,
<5 13 (92.9%) 1 (7.1%) df =1,
5-10 88 (93.6%) 6 (6.4%) P < 0.001
> 10 73 (73.7%) 26 (26.3%)

Table-5: Mean ± SD of BMI according to various morbidity-

Name of morbidity Present Absent t- value p- value

Pallor 15.83 ± 2.01 16.81± 2.92 2.22 0.02*
Anemia 15.66 ± 2.04 16.74 ± 2.85 2.07 0.04*
Iceterus 18.63 ± 2.18 16.51 ± 2.75 1.71 0.08
Edema 17.2 ± 2.14 16.56 ± 2.76 2.33 0.81
Conditionof hairs 17.34 ±2.61 16.51 ± 2.76 1.05 0.29
Biotspot 16.19 ± 2.64 16.75 ± 2.81 1.34 0.16
Conjuctival xerosis 15.70 ± 2.86 16.80 ± 2.69 2.41 0.02*
Angular clelosis 14.37 ± 1.45 16.63 ±2.76 1.99 0.04*
Glossitis 15.43 ±1.94 16.71 ± 2.81 2.07 0.04*
Gum bleed 14.69 ± 1.78 16.62 ± 2.76 1.55 0.13
Sign of rickets 14.11 ± 2.89 16.59 ± 2.75 1.28 0.21
Other finding 15.70 ±1.74 16.62 ± 2.81 1.09 0.27
Ear infection 16.11 ± 1.49 16.59 ± 2.77 0.52 0.61
Skin infection 15.48 ± 2.35 16.59 ± 2.79 0.65 0.52
Throat problem 21.94± 2.68 16.45 ± 2.66 4.08 0.00*
Chest 16.51 ± 2.19 16.57 ± 2.77 0.44 0.96
CVS 15.04 ± 1.19 16.59 ± 2.77 1.12 0.26
CNS 15.47 ± 2.65 16.58 ± 2.77 0.56 0.57
PA 14.45 ± 1.20 16.59 ± 2.76 1.08 0.27
* Statistically Significant

Site this article as: Saroj R.K., Kumar Mukesh, Kumar Avadhesh, The Study on Nutritional Status
among the School Children in Varanasi, Int J Medicine and Allied Health Sciences 2014; 1: 110-115

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