Spot analysis of nutritional status of children in selected preschools in Batticaloa Medical Officer of Health area

Abstract

Preschoolers’ nutritional condition affects not only their present health but also the foundation for their future growth and development, making it an essential aspect of their overall wellbeing. Preschool age is a critical time of rapid physical and cognitive development, usually lasting from 2 to 5 years of age. So, it’s crucial that they get enough nutrition to support this dynamic process. The purpose of this study to identify the nutritional status and the associated factors of children in selected preschools in Batticaloa Medical Officer of Health area. A descriptive Cross- Sectional study was carried out to identify the nutritional status and the associated factors of children in 11 selected preschools in Batticaloa Medical Officer of Health area. Convenient sampling method was used to recruit the preschools for the study. After obtaining informed consent from the parent/ guardian, data were collected through anthropometric measurements and validated interviewer administered questionnaire. Total of 370 preschool children were recruited including 260 aged 36-59 months and 110 aged 60-71 months. The prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight were 38.5%, 9.2% and 33.1% respectively in the aged group of 36-59 months and in 60-71 months aged group wasting prevalence was 40.0%; stunting was 19.0% and underweight was 40.0%.considering the overall economic status of the families 65.4% of families earn less than Ra.35000 per month, that is not adequate . In our study population, daily intake of meat, eggs, fish, leafy vegetables and fruits are 9.1%, 22.1%, 28.9%, 33.7% and 27.2% respectively and 95.9%, 78.3% and 58.6% of children consume biscuits, sweets and instant noodles more frequently(3-4 times per week and more). Nearly 68% of participants consume milk in the form of milk tea. Prevalence of underweight is 35.1%, stunting is 12.1% and wasting is 38.9 % in our study population (n=370). Preschool children in our study, are free from over nutritional form such as overweight and obesity. High prevalence of wasting indicates the acute nutritional issues most likely due to economic crisis in the country. In our study population most of the parents earns <35 000 per month so More than two third of the participants consume good quality proteins less frequently. And also nearly two third of the participants consume unhealthy food items such as biscuits, sweets and instant noodles more frequently. Use of green leafy vegetables which are available locally is inadequate by the study participants.