Gender Differences in Nutritional Status of Children in Tea Gardens of Darjeeling: Based on Conventional Indices and Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure

Objectives: The study aims to assess the nutritional status of children aged 1-5 years and its relationship with gender. Further, it also tries to assess the nutritional status of children using conventional indices and the composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) and suggests the appropriate method to estimate undernutrition among children. Materials and Methods: The area selected for the study is the tea gardens of Darjeeling. The study is based on the primary survey, and a total of 400 children were included in the study. A Chi-square test is conducted to find out the differences in the nutritional status of children gender-wise. Results: The analysis indicated that the level of undernutrition in tea gardens of Darjeeling is very high (51%). The level of undernutrition estimated through conventional indices indicated that the level of stunting, wasting, and underweight are 43.8%, 20.2%, and 36.2%, respectively, whereas the composite index of anthropometric failure estimated more prevalence rate (51.2%). The analysis indicates that the conventional indices underestimate the prevalence of undernutrition. On the contrary, a composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) gives better estimates of undernutrition. Both the indices of nutrition in the study area indicated higher undernutrition among girl children than a boy. However, no significant differences in the nutritional status gender-wise exist. Conclusion: The result depicts the positive sign as it contradicts the general belief that a boy child is more nourished than a girl. However, half of the children in tea gardens of Darjeeling aged 1-5 years, irrespective of gender, are undernourished. The paper highlights the urgent need to work out nutritional strategies to improve child health in the study area.

Physical Activity of Children from 3 to 12 Years Old in the Representations of Their Parents

The article considers the problem of increasing the physical and sports activity of Russian children. Statistical data characterizing the actualization of the problem are given, as well as the results of a sociological study conducted by the research team of the RSSU to determine parents’ motives for involving children from 3 to 12 years old in systematic physical education and sports, as well as barriers to this. The study was conducted by a focus-group interview with parents living in Rostov-on-Don, Saransk, Belgorod and Kostroma. The results obtained during the study made it possible to conclude that the general motives for parents are to improve child health, instill in children skills of social interaction and expand children’s leisure practices. The main barriers are the commercialization of children’s sports, the lack of financially and logically accessible and sports sections, as well as the workload of children in educational institutions, as well as their parents at work and in everyday life.

Reducing inequalities in child health: a case study in an English local authority

Background Many health outcomes for children and young people in England, UK remain poor compared to international peers, with persistent inequalities across the country. Our study sought to understand, from the perspectives of local stakeholders, the key factors affecting the development and implementation of policy to improve child health and reduce inequalities. Methods We carried out a detailed case study in an English local authority area. Our fieldwork comprised: documentary review of local policies, observation of key strategic and operational meetings and semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders. We followed Jessop's (2016) approach in using specific policy areas and policies (mental health, obesity and the early years) as 'entry points' to understand the local context. Results First, and most importantly, there was an overriding consensus that local action to reduce inequalities in child health is hampered by a persistent unequal distribution of the social determinants of health. Second, local stakeholders highlighted the damaging impact of austerity measures and poverty in the UK, which, they argued, had impacted most upon the most vulnerable. Third, while national policies often provided a framework and incentive for local action, there was an emphasis on the importance of local knowledge and place-based approaches, developed through close work with communities. Conclusions Our study highlights the need for progressive policies to begin to reduce the uneven distribution of the social determinants of health to enable local stakeholders to make progress in tackling inequalities in child health. It emphasises the futility of funding national policies to improve child health and reduce inequalities in the context of greatly reduced budgets for local authorities. National policy should also facilitate the mobilisation of context specific knowledge, produced in conjunction with community members. Key messages Our work evidences the pressing need to address structural inequalities and adequately resource and facilitate work to reduce inequalities at a local level. National policy should facilitate the mobilisation of context specific knowledge, produced in conjunction with community members.

State of Child Health outcomes across the UK

Billed as a landmark report, State of Child Health includes the latest data and key messages for each devolved government in the UK to improve child health outcomes. David Hancock highlights the main points