Prevalence of malnutrition in male school children in rural areas of district Peshawar: a study of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and the contributing factors for malnutrition of male school children in rural areas of district Peshawar. Five hundred children aged between 5 to 10 years were randomly selected from five villages and subdivided into five age groups. Of the total study population, 46.6% of the children were malnourished, 17.2% had first degree malnutrition, 20.2% 2nd degree malnutrition and 9.2% had 3rd degree malnutrition. The dietary intake data revealed that 19-35% children in different age groups had lower protein and 29-47% had lower caloric intake. The correlation coefficients among the different variables demonstrate that weight and height of the children were positively correlated with protein, calories, family income, education and number of family members