A comparative study to assess the nutritional status of the preschools children under ICDS and Non-ICDS schools in selected rural community, Dehradun

Abstract

Background: Throughout the world the children are most vulnerable, neglected during their sensitive period of growth and development, which increase morbidity and mortality rate. The emphasis on child development has been on improving the quality of services under Integrated Child Development Service.Methods and Materials: A non-experimental survey approach with comparative research design. The sample consisted 60 preschool children aged between 3 to 6 years under the ICDS and Non-ICDS schools were selected by purposive sampling technique in Abinav Children's Academy School, Balawala, Anangwadi Center in Kuanwala and Doiwala at Dehradun. Data was collected by using anthropometric measurements and structured observational checklist.Results: There was significant difference statistically, between the nutritional status of preschool children of ICDS School, majority of 56.7% preschool school were healthy and least number of 43.3% preschool children were underweight whereas in Non-ICDS School majority of 86.7% preschool children were healthy and least number of 13.3% were underweight. The data revealed that the obtained t-value is greater than the table value at 0.05 levels therefore, there is significant difference in overall nutritional status of preschool children under ICDS and Non-ICDS Schools. The obtained chi-square value for selected demographic variables is greater than the table value at 0.05level of significance. Hence, research hypothesis is accepted and null hypothesis is rejected. Conclusion: The investigator had analyzed the data that, among 30 preschool children under ICDS and 30 preschool children under Non-ICDS, the comparison of nutritional status for both groups by observational checklist, the mean of overall nutrition status in ICDS children is higher than Non-ICDS children. Hence, the study concludes that, the nutritional statuses of children under Non- ICDS School were well nourished than the children under ICDS School.