Physical Growth, Health and Nutritional Status of the Ashram School Tribal Children in Northern Orissa

The nature of physical growth and development of children depends primarily upon the genetic endowments, nutritional status, psycho-social environment and surrounding physical environmental conditions. Good nutrition is an indispensable component of healthy life. It is a determinant of healthy growth of mind and body. It plays a vital role in the physical, mental and emotional development of a child. School going children are the most important segment of the society which is vulnerable to retardation in growth as a result of malnutrition and undernutrition. The problems get compounded due to ignorance and poverty of the parents. When the children grow rapidly, they need the best food and care.