Anthropometric Dimensions on Nutritional Grade among School Children

The combination of the food, fuel and financial crises coming together is threatening the livelihoods and food security of millions of people in developing countries which has enhanced the interest of researchers in under nutrition. Under nutrition continues to be an important cause of ill-health and premature mortality and morbidity among children [1]. Nutritional deprivation is rampant in children of school age. Since deficient physical growth is naturally reflected in their suboptimal mental achievement, the assessment of nutritional status is essential for making development towards improving overall health of the school age children [2]. Organization plays a chief role in conveying knowledge and prevention of nutritional deficiencies and several other diseases which provides an ideal setting for promoting good health behavior. The most significant period of a student’s life is spent at school and colleges and it is here that their lifetime beliefs and habits develop [3,4]. Schools are considered as perfect settings for health promotion among children and school staffs [5,6]. School age is a dynamic period of physical growth as well as of mental development of the child. The nutritional status of school-aged children impacts their health, cognition and subsequently their educational achievement. Children in the age group of 5-14 years are often considered as school-age. Since 1972, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) consider 6-11 years as primary school age and 12-17 years as secondary school age for statistical purposes [7]. The foundations of good health and sound mind are laid during the school age period [8]. The children are classified using three categories: ‘underweight’ (low weight-for-age), ‘stunting’ (low height-for-age) or ‘wasting’ (low weight-for-height). Anthropometric examination is an almost mandatory tool in any research to assess health and nutritional condition in childhood. Based on the age, body weight and height, a number of indices such as height-for-age, weight-for-height and body mass index have been suggested [9]. School children are not thought of as “at risk” population and little attention is paid to their nutritional assessment [10]. Nepal has high rates of under nutrition contributing to a huge absolute number of undernourished children in the world. The problem is more severe in third world countries affecting children of all ages especially the under fives. According to Nepal Demographic Health and Survey (2011), the nutritional status of children under five as measured by weight-forheight was 11 % of children wasted and 3 % was severely wasted [11]. The use of different growth standards can Volume 6 Issue 3 2017