Factors affecting Nutritional Status of Malaysian Primary School Children

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.Z. Anuar Zaini ◽  
C.T. Lim ◽  
W.Y. Low ◽  
F. Harun

This paper investigates the nutritional status of a randomly selected cohort of school children and the factors affecting it. This random survey was conducted in the state of Selangor, involving 1,405 primary students (aged 9-10 years from 54 national primary schools). Physical examination was carried out on all the students. Information on the students was also obtained from the parents. Blood samples were taken by using the finger pricking technique. Body mass index (BMI) was used as a measure of physical growth. The students were mainly from urban areas (82.9%). The mean age was 9.71 years and a higher proportion was females (51%). Malays constituted 83.6%, Indians 11.6% and Chinese 4.2% of the study population. The mean weight and height were 32.30 kg and 135.18cm respectively. The mean BMI was 17.42 kg/m2, with 1.2% of the students underweight, 76.3% normal BMI, 16.3% overweight and 6.3% were obese. Nutritional status was significantly related to blood pressure, history of breast feeding, eating fast food, taking canned/bottled drinks, income and educational level of parents. Significant differences in nutritional status between sexes and locations (rural/ urban) were also found. The prevalence of overweight and obese children was of concern. There is thus an urgent need for the School Health Program to periodically monitor the school children's eating habits and physical growth. Appropriate counselling on nutritional intake and physical activities should be given not only to schoolchildren but also to their teachers and parents or caregivers. Asia Pac J Public Health 2005; 17(2): 71-80.

1995 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.E. Turaçli ◽  
S.G. Aktan ◽  
K. Dürük

Ophthalmic screening was done on 23,810 children visited at schools in different regions of Ankara. Children with below normal visual acuity were invited to the outpatient department and had a full routine ocular examination. Thirty-nine nursery and primary schools were selected, ten of them private, eleven average state schools, seven good state schools and eleven village schools. Among the 23,810 children, 3095 (13%) had various pathology; 1516 were girls, 1579 boys. Refractive errors were found in 85% of the children (2630). This equals 11% of the total screened population. Refractive errors were myopia 32%, hypermetropia 21%, astigmatism 47%. Strabismic children were 2.5%, and amblyopia was found in 1.1%. The purpose of the study was to assess the place of an ocular screening program in primary school children and to discuss the differences encountered in different urban areas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Y. AL Khafaji ◽  
Nadia A Al Rawi

Background: Oral health and nutrition are in interdependent relationship that good nutritional health enhancing good oral health. Nutrition can affect the development and integrity of oral cavity and the progression of oral disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of the gingival health condition in relation to the nutritional status, among 10 years old primary school children in urban and rural area in Al-Hillah city. Material and method: Eight hundred ninety one (891) students, aged10 years old, selected randomly from different primary schools, in urban and rural area in Al-Hillah city, were included in this study. Oral examination including of plaque index assessment, which was done according to the criteria by Silness and Loe, in 1964, gingival health conditions was determined according to Loe and Silness, 1963. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI), following the criteria of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth chart (CDC). Statistical analysis was done using Kruskal Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test and ANOVA, p-value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: This study showed that the majority of the sample was found to be with normal gingival health condition. No significant difference was observed between the gingival index in relation to gender, or residence also, no significant result was found, between plaque and gingival index in relation to the nutritional status. Conclusion: The majority of the sample with normal gingiva however the nutritional status had no significant effect on gingival health condition while the urbanization had an effect on oral hygiene


Author(s):  
Zahid Irfan Marwat ◽  
Shah Nawaz ◽  
Anwar Khan Wazir ◽  
Ejaz Afzal ◽  
Chaman Gul ◽  
...  

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> To assess the nutritional assessment of the primary school children in Abbottabad.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted among children of private and public sectors primary schools of Abbottabad from January - September 2018 by simple random sampling. 200 students from each school (7 and 13 years), present on the day of data collection were included in this study and those who were absent, sick or not willing, were excluded. The data was collected on a pre-tested questionnaire.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Total 200 students, males 49.5% (n=99) and females 50.5% (n=101) were interviewed and assessed for their nutritional assessment. Their mean age was 11.67±1.66years, height was 144.93±12.34 cms and weight was 37.69±12.96 kgs. Male students (n=67) 67.7% and from private schools (n=67) 65.7% were healthier then female (n=55) 55.4% and government schools (57.1%), P valve 0.085 and 0.026. Most of the students with grade C in last year school performance were underweight (100%). Raven Test for both types of school gave 0.012 P value which indicated more intelligent students resides in private schools. Furthermore, children of well-serviced fathers and qualified mothers were healthy, more intelligent and practiced good hygiene. Also, children of a private school who has better nutritional status scored more than Public school children.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Nutritional status of children have a direct effect on their cognitive abilities. Private school children who have scored better in the intelligence test, have better nutritional status. Socioeconomic status and mother qualification have a direct effect on children’s nutrition, health status, school performance and hygiene.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-563
Author(s):  
Hussain Sardar ◽  
Rana Muhammad Amir ◽  
Ayesha Khurshid ◽  
Hafiz Ali Raza ◽  
Adeela Manzoor

Purpose of the study: The main purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status of farm families with a special focus on primary school children in Punjab. Methodology: This study was conducted in tehsil Jaranwala, Faisalabad. Five villages and two primary schools were selected from each village randomly. From these schools, 323 children whose fathers were farmers were selected as samples. A cross-sectional research design was used for the present study. In this context, an interview schedule was prepared and face-to-face interviews were administered to collect the required data. Main Findings: The chi-square analysis confirmed that education, and income of parents associated factors had a statistically significant (P<0.05) and positive correlation with BMI. Descriptive statistics indicated poverty was ranked 1st among reasons for malnutrition followed by inappropriate dietary choices and unavailability of healthy foods with mean values of 4.25 and 4.11, respectively. Whereas, children don't want to come to school due to poor health" was ranked 1st in all effects of poor health with a mean value of 4.50. Applications of the study: This study has highlighted the importance of the nutritional status of primary school-going children and also investigates the different factors that inverse impact on their health. This study will be proved helpful among farm families by creating awareness about the nutrition of children. Based on the findings of this study, the urge to the government to take steps to improve the literacy level and build strategies to improve the awareness level of mothers about the nutrition of children, especially in rural areas.  The novelty of the Study: This is the first study that investigates the assessment of the nutritional status of school-going children of farm families in Punjab, Pakistan especially in tehsil Jaranwala, Faisalabad.


Author(s):  
Sunil Pal Singh Chajhlana ◽  
Ramakrishna Narashimha Mahabhasyam ◽  
Maruti Sarma Mannava Varaprasada

Background: The school age period is nutritionally significant because this is the prime time to build up body stores of nutrients in preparation for rapid growth of adolescence. Malnutrition remains the world’s most serious health problem and the single biggest contributor to child mortality, nearly one third of the children in the developing world are either underweight or stunted and more than 30% of the developing world’s population suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. However the data available from urban slums of Hyderabad in this age group is very sparse and hence an attempt has been made to study the same. The objectives were to determine the nutritional status of primary school children and study the factors associated with it.Methods:Study population:  Primary school children (6 to 11 years). Study area: primary schools in urban slums of Hyderabad. Study design: a cross sectional study. Sample size: 412 children. Sampling methods:  Simple random sampling Data collection: By using pre designed and pre tested and pre coded schedule (interview technique, observation, clinical examination). Analysis: By using Microsoft Excel 2007 and Epi Info 3.5.3.Results: The prevalence of underweight was 28.9%, overweight was 9.2% and obesity was 4.4% . Prevalence of stunted height was found among 21.8%. 5.8% children were suffering from Vitamin’ A’ deficiency, 15.0% were suffering from Vitamin B deficiency, and 15.8% were found to be anemic.Conclusions:The prevalence of underweight, Nutritional deficiencies were found to be significantly higher in children of illiterate parents’ and similarly in unskilled worker fathers’ and unemployed mothers. 


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iffat Nowsin ◽  
Nadia Begum ◽  
Elias Bin Akbar ◽  
Muhammad Mahbubul Alam

Background: School age is the active growing phase of childhood. It is a dynamic period of physical growth as well as of mental development of the child. Research indicates that health problems due to miserable nutritional status in primary school-age children are among the most common causes of low school enrolment, high absenteeism, early dropout and unsatisfactory classroom performance.Objective: The objective of this study was “to assess the nutritional status among rural school children”, in terms of the BMI, stunting and wasting among the children.Materials and methods: A descriptive type of cross-sectional study was conducted among the school children of two secondary schools located in Savar upazilla during January-March 2013. From these selected schools, a total number of 340 students aged 5-14 yrs were enrolled in the study. First face to face interview was conducted with available students with the help of purposive sampling technique. Then anthropometric measurement such as Age (in years), Heights (in cms), and Weight (in kgs) of each child were taken to assess their nutritional status.Results: The mean height of the children was (136.9; SD±8.57cm) not comparable with CDC 2000 (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) standard. Among 340 students, 81.8% of the students were found to be under nourished. Underweight, stunting and wasting were present in 38.8%, 55.9%, and 25.9% of school children respectively. Underweight was associated with lower household wealth (p < .005). The mean weight (27.18 Kg; SD± 6.78 Kg) was lower than CDC 2000 standards. Among underweight children girls (50.3%) were found to be higher than boys (28.73%). The students were more stunted (55.9%) than wasted (25.9%). Only 10.29% of the students were found to be both wasted and stunted.Conclusion: The study revealed that high percentage of rural school children was malnourished. The study result also revealed the urgent need for initiation of school health programme with specific emphasis on, improvement of nutritional status, personal hygiene and prevention of diseases with the collaboration of governmental and non-governmental institutions.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpp.v30i1.20780 Bangladesh J Physiol Pharmacol 2014; 30(1):6-10


Author(s):  
Syed Abid Asghar ◽  
Pratibha Gupta ◽  
Mrinal R. Srivastava ◽  
J. P. Srivastava ◽  
Zeashan H. Zaidi

Background: School health is an important branch of community health. School health services is an economical and powerful means of raising community health. In school child is vulnerable to stress, tension and endangerment of group life because all children are not the same and comes from different socioeconomic and cultural background and with different immunity status. Child is quite vulnerable at this growing age and hence become easy victims of many non-communicable diseases such as dental caries, anaemia, visual and hearing defects. The objective of the study was to assess health status of primary school children in rural areas of Lucknow.Methods: The present school-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural area of Lucknow from February to July 2015. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select primary schools from 1st to 5th standard. All students who were present at the time of survey were included in the study. A pre-structured performa for each student was used to record information regarding anthropometric measurements, physical examination/ personal hygiene, clinical findings.Results: A total of 170 children were examined, among these 82 (48.23%) were boys and 88 (51.77%) were girls. Dental caries was the most common infirmity observed in 63 (37.05%) children with 95% CI (33.35- 40.75) and was statistically significant (p<0.05) with boys 29.27% and girls 44.31%. Anaemia were found in 65 (38.23%), boys were 32.92% and girls 43.18%. Ear discharge was seen in 17 (10%) children, boys were 6.10% and girls 13.63%.Conclusions: The common infirmity found were dental caries, anaemia and ear discharge. Effective strategy with good monitoring and evaluation is imperative in ensuring adequate and optimal implementation of school health services in primary schools in rural Lucknow.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-106
Author(s):  
R Adah ◽  
G Adah ◽  
H Abdu ◽  
C John ◽  
S Okolo

Skin diseases are common causes of morbidity among children in developing Nations. An awareness of the types of skin morbidities seen in school children and the associated factors may enable individuals’ families and government carry out or direct preventive and therapeutic measures appropriately. The aim of this study was to assess the spectrum of skin diseases among primary school children in Jos North Local Government Area. Three hundred and ninety (390) pupils were recruited from some public and private primary schools using multistage sampling technique. Structured Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to obtain information. Key diagnostics features were used for clinical diagnosis of major skin diseases. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 21. There were a total of 199 males and 191 females. Age range was between 6 and 12 years. Prevalence rate of skin disease was 36.2%. A total of 28 different types of skin diseases were seen among the pupils, with infections making up the bulk (47.3%). Among the infections, Tinea (23.9%) was the most prevalent. while dermatitis accounted for 20.7%. There was no sex predilection. Skin diseases were significantly more prevalent in children between 6-7 years ( p-0.014) and associated with lower socioeconomic class (p-0.001) and children from public schools (p-0.000). Preventive and curative health services should be provided in the school health programme especially in public schools for reduction of the prevalence of skin disorders.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.Z. Anuar Zaini ◽  
C.T. Lim ◽  
W.Y. Low ◽  
F. Harun

Numerous factors are known to affect the academic performance of students. These include prenatal conditions, birth conditions, postnatal events, nutritional, socio-economic factors and environmental factors. This paper examines the nutritional status and its relationship with academic performance of 9-10 years old primary school children recruited randomly in Selangor, Malaysia. A standard self-administered questionnaire was utilized to obtain pertinent information and a face-to-face interview was also conducted with the parents. Results of the academic performances were extracted from the students' report cards. The intellectual performance was assessed using Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices. Physical examination was also conducted on these students by doctors. Overall 1,405 students and 1,317 parents responded to the survey. Of these 83.6% were Malays, 11.6% Indians, and 4.2% Chinese. The majority of them (82.9%) were from urban areas. The female: male ratio was 51:49; mean age was 9.71 years. The mean height and weight were 32.3 kg and 135.2 cm respectively. Their mean BMI was 17.42 kg/cm 2, with 0.9% underweight, 76.3% normal BMI, 16.3% overweight, and 6.3% obese. Academic performance was significantly correlated with breast feeding, income and educational level of their parents, BMI, and whether they have been taking breakfast. There was a weak correlation between presence of anaemia and intellectual performance. Improving the socio-economic status of the parents will lend a helping hand in the academic performance of the students. Since breast feeding is associated with better academic and intellectual performance it must be emphasized, particularly to expectant mothers in the antenatal clinics. Asia Pac J Public Health 2005; 17(2): 81-87.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palash Das ◽  
Mausumi Basu ◽  
Gautam Dhar ◽  
Sarmila Mallik ◽  
Ranabir Pal

The nutritional status of children adversely affects their physical and mental growth. This study examined the nutritional status and morbidity pattern of government primary school children in north Kolkata of West Bengal, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 10 primary schools using interview techniques and anthropometric and clinical examinations. Of the 502 children, 40.2% children showed poor hygiene. The upper class students showed significantly poorer hygiene than that of lower class students. Anemia rate was 22.3% in these children and class II and III students showed significantly more anemia. Dental caries were found among 29.9% children and class II and III students showed significantly higher rate. About 10.4% children were found with enlarged tonsils and class I and III students showed higher prevalence. A major group of children (39.4%) gave the history of worm expulsion and the infestations of worms were observed significantly higher among lower class students. Vitamin B-complex deficit was observed among 20.7% and the deficiency was markedly observed among class II and IV students. Under-weight children were found in one-third of study population. There was no significant difference in nutrition among the participants from the various classes. There was no case of severe under-nutrition or stunting and wasting found in this study population. The findings of various nutritional status and morbidity patterns in this study highlight the needs to undertake various initiatives in relation to health promotion and prevention in primary schools.South East Asia J Public Health | Jan-June 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 1 | 13-17 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15255


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