[Evaluation of urinary riboflavin levels of primary school aged children in Rafsanjan during 2004-2005]

ABSTRACT

Riboflavin deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies, which has detrimental effect on physical growth of children. In the present study, the nutritional status of this vitamin and its correlation with anthropometrical indices of school aged children [year one and two] in Rafsanjan were investigated. In this descriptive study, the samples were selected using multistage random sampling, and the variables including age, gender, and their parent's education were recorded in the questionnaires which was prepared for this purpose. The weight and height of the participants were measured, and their urine samples were collected. Anthropometric indices and data were analyzed, using [Nut] sub program of EPI software version 6.0 and chi[2], t-test and Pearson correlation tests, respectively. A moderate to severe riboflavin deficiency was found in half of the participants with a higher frequency in girls [p<0.005]. Also, there was a significant difference between the mean of height for age and weight for age among boys and girls, respectively [p<0.003, p<0.045]. Based on our findings, Riboflavin deficiency is possibly a serious problem among primary school children especially in school-aged girls