A Study on Body Mass status of rural area school children of Burdwan District in west Bengal

Abstract

The incidence of child under nutrition is high around the world, particularly alarming in the developing countries. This cross-sectional investigation has been undertaken among rural primary school-going children residing in Ausgram-II block of Burdwan district, West Bengal. The study sample was 224 children 124(55%) boys; 100(44.64%) girls aged 6-12 years. Height, weight was taken and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Body mass index number was plotted on the CDC S age and gender specific growth charts 2-20 years for BMI-for age percentile and body mass status (underweight, normal weight, overweight/at the risk of overweight and obese/overweight The overall mean BMI among boys and girls were 13.89 ± 1.40 kg/m2 and 14 ± 2.14 kg/m2. In the present study, 58.87% boys and 55% girls were underweight, and 41.12% boys and 43% girls were normal weight and only 1% of girls are overweight/at the risk of overweight and obese/overweight. Child under nutrition (underweight) is a major underlying problem in Indian rural children, especially in rural area of West Bengal awareness about balanced diet, improvement in the level of education and socioeconomic conditions, easy access to health facilities and prevention of the gender discrimination, are the remedial measures to be taken to redress the situation. Where appropriate nutritional intervention strategies are necessary to improve their nutritional status.