study of nutritional status of pre-school children in Kuwait

ABSTRACT

The aim of this survey was to assess the nutritional status of preschool children in Kuwait. A multistage stratified sample of 645 male and 635 female children was taken to represent all Kuwait Governorates. The mother of each child was interviewed to collect data on socioeconomic variables. The length/height, body weight of the children were recorded and hemoglobin concentration was determined. The results show that 11.5% of the boys and 9.9% of the girls were stunted the prevalence of wasting was similar in both sexes [10.9%]. Obesity was more prevalent among girls [18.4%;] than among boys [16.1%]. The results also show that anemia was more prevalent among boys [32.5%] than among girls [25.3%]. Several factors such as birth order, family income, mothers education and employment affected the prevalence of undernutrition among preschool children in Kuwait