Comparison of nutritional status in children of different socio - economic statuses

ABSTRACT

This cross sectional study was carried out to compare nutritional status amongst children of 5-10 years of age of different socio-economic status. Study was carried out at schools of Faisalabad city for almost 4 months. Height, weight, mid-arm circumference [MAC] and triceps skin fold thickness [TSFT] were measured of children belonging to three socio-economic status [SES]. The study revealed significantly [p<0.05] lower heights of both male and female children of low SES compared with of high SES at the age of 5-5.9 years and those older than 9 years. Similarly, mean weight of children of low SES was significantly [p<0.05] lower than children of middle and high SES. Mid-arm circumference was also significantly [p<0.05] lower in both males and females of low SES than high SES. In children of low SES, significantly greater TSFT was observed in females than males at 5-6.9 years and 9-9.9 years of age while in children of middle SES TSFT was observed at 6-6.9 and greater than 8 years of age. The data showed significantly lower values [p<0.05] of TSFT in children of low and middle SES than those of high SES in both male and female of all age groups. Pearson correlation statistics revealed significant negative relationship between height and TSFT [r=-0.496, p<0.001] in children of low SES in contrast with the results in middle and high SES. It may be concluded from the obtained results that the parameters studied are good indicators of nutritional assessment except height as appeared a delayed effect of nutrition, further that height has significant inverse relationship with TSFT in malnourished children but not in well nourished ones