The nutritional status of school-aged children in an urban squatter settlement in Pakistan
Mian, R.M.A.; Mohammed Ali; Ferroni, P.A.; Underwood, P.
Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 1(3): 121-123
2002
Document Number: 260542
A study was carried out to determine the nutritional status of school-aged children living in an urban squatter settlement in Islamabad, Pakistan. Two hundred children were selected through systematic random sampling from 1479 children aged 5-10 years living in 1147 households. Measurement of height and body weight revealed a high prevalence of malnutrition among these children. The prevalence of underweight (<2 standard deviations (SD) below the NCHS (National Centre for Health Statistics) standard for weight-for-age) was 29.5%, wasting (<2 SD below standard weight-for-height) 13% and stunting (<2 SD below standard weight-for-height) 35%. Overall, 44% of the children had one or more of underweight, wasting or stunting. Severe malnutrition (<3 SD below the standard value) was present in 15.4% of the children. The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly higher among older children and those from larger, poorer households. The study recommends the inclusion of school-aged children in the Pakistan National Nutrition Survey.