A Study to Assess the Nutritional Status of Preschool Children (3-5 Years) In Selected Rural Anganawadis At Mysuru With A View To Develop Information Booklet

Background: In India, under-nutrition is a major public health problem. Almost 11 million children will die before they reach the age of five and 4 million of them in the first month of life. Malnutrition is the principal cause of child deaths. The consequences of malnutrition are; high level of morbidity, mortality and disability apart from poor physical growth and-development.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional status of preschool children (3-5 years) in selected rural Anganawadis at Mysuru with a view to develop information booklet.

Methods: observational and descriptive survey design and convenience sampling was adapted to select 50 preschool children who are attending the Anganawadis at Suttur. The scale to assess the nutritional status and nutritional assessment checklist were used. The information booklet was given to all mothers.

Result: The collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results reveals that, according to weight for age, 26 (52%) preschool children were having normal nutrition and 24 (48%) preschool children had first and second degree malnutrition, according to height for age, 23 (46%) preschool children were having normal height and 27(54%) preschool children were mildly and moderately impaired, according to their mid upper arm circumference, 20(40%) preschool children were nourished and 30(60%) preschool children were malnourished and according to their clinical signs, 33(66%) preschool children were having no deficiency and 17(34%) preschool children had mild malnutrition. Significant association was found between level of nutritional status and educational status of father of preschool children.

Conclusion: The findings of the present study concluded that majority of the preschool children in selected rural Anganawadis were malnourished. Hence the present study has given the evidence that health awareness should be created to improve the nutrition and information booklet is helpful to improve their nutrition status.