A Descriptive Study to Assess the Growth and Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children in View to Develop Guidelines Regarding Diet in Selected Anganwadis at Tarn Taran District

Abstract

Pre-school children belong to the age group of 3–5 years. Children are the future of our society and mothers are the guardians of future. Hence, to ensure sound foundation and secure future of any society, health and nutrition of children needs protection. Children in pre-school stage require most attention as this is a period of rapid growth and development. Aim of the present study was to assess the growth and nutritional status of pre-school children. The target population for the study was selected from Anganwadis at Tarn Taran. Descriptive research design was used for the study. The population was selected by nonprobability convenient sampling technique. The total number of samples under the study was 100 pre-school children. The data were collected by taking anthropometric measurements. The overall results showed that the growth of pre-school children; weight for height, 65% having normal level; height for age, 31% having normal; nutritional status of pre-school children, normal weight of child, 24%; mid arm circumference of pre-school children- normal level, 80%, so there is a need to improve growth and nutritional status of pre-school children.


Keywords: growth, nutritional status, preschool children