ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF 1–5 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN AN URBAN UNION COUNCIL OF ABBOTTABAD

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is one the major public health problem in developing countries. In Pakistanmore than 38% of the children are under weight and stunted. The current study is being done to accessthe nutrition status of children of 6 months to 5 years in District Abbottabad. The objectives of thestudy were to determine the macronutrient deficiency both acute and chronic in children 1–5 years ofage, and recommend appropriate interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey wasconducted in an urban Union Council (UC) of District Abbottabad, with a sample size of 100, selectedthrough simple random sampling. For data collection a questionnaire was designed. Results:According to height for age Z-score, out of 100 children studied, 80 were normal while 17 were stuntedand 3 were severely stunted. According to weight for age Z score, 79 children were normal, 11 wereunderweight and 10 were severely underweight. According to weight for height Z-score, 83 childrenwere normal while 13 were wasted and 4 were severely wasted. Conclusion: Macronutrient deficiencyis prevalent in our children. Macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies can also occur concomitantly.The nutritional deficiency affects our children since their embryonic lives. The nutritional deficiencymakes children vulnerable to contract diarrhoeal diseases, acute respiratory infections and otherinfections that further compound the situation.Keywords: Malnutrition, Nutrition assessment, under-5 children, Anthropometry, wasting, stunting,urban Pakistan