A comparative study to assess the nutritional status by measuring the selected anthropometric measurements of urban and rural primary school children in selected primary schools of Gokak, Belgaum district

Abstract

A Child is precious to his parents, to his family, community, and nation and to the world at large. In fact child is a citizen of the world and thus it becomes the responsibility of the wide population of the whole universe to look after the interests of the children all over. The young children need love for growth but also adequate nutrition and health facilities, so that he can grow at his optimum level. The concept of the importance of a child to society greatly emerged as each group settled in an area of fertile land. Instead of being a liability, the children slowly became an asset to the family and to the society. Children between 6-12 years of age are generally called primary school children. Today more than ever before the primary school children have become a focus for organized medical-social welfare activities. So their healthy growth is essential. One of the common methods to identify nutritional status in children is anthropometric measurements. Primary school children represent about 1/5 th of the general population in India, and majority of the population lives in rural areas. Therefore it is apparent to study the growth of children in both areas. This study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status by measuring the selected anthropometric measurements of urban and rural primary school children in selected primary schools of Gokak, Belgaum district.