A Survey on Anthropometric and Nutritional Status of children in Three Different Kinds of Kindergartens in Cheonan

ABSTRACT

According to economical status, malnutrition and overnutrition coexist among preschool children in Korea. Malnutrition have been a serious problem for children in some of rural. Many children have deficiencies of some nutrients such as riboflavin A, and simultaneously they have overcarloric intakes with empty calorie foods. Preschool children have nutritional problems which can affect the growth and development. To investigate whether nutritional intakes can influence on the growth or not, nutritional intakes and anthropometric measurements were determined for infants aged 4~6 years old in three different kinds of preschools. Daily nutrient intakes were calculated by the combination of a direct measurement and 24 hour recall, and the diet consumption patterns were determined by diet quality index. Overall growth of infants in Cheonan area was under the normal growth in Korea. Preschool children in orphanage consumed almost all nutrients much less than the recommended daily allowances, on the other hands, children in private preschool had over-intakes of nutrients when it is compared with the daily requirements. However, the scores of the diet quality index were similar in three preschools since children in private preschool consumed more fat and junk food than those in orphanage. The weight and height of preschool children in orphanage was lower than those in private preschools. This was due to the lower consumption of the important nutrients in infants in orphanage. The consumption of all nutrients except fat did not show any correlation with height or weight. The quality index of fat, cholesterol, grains and protein intakes was higher in children in private preschool than in orphanage. In conclusions, 1)the private preschool children had worse nutrient intake patterns. Better consumption of vitamin B2, calcium and grains were, bigger height and chest circumferences children obtained. 2)Since most of energy intake of preschool children came from junk foods, they needed to consume more supplementation of vitamins and minerals, which is necessary for normal growth. 3)It is desirable for the children to cut down junk foods and empty calorie foods.