Measurement of Anthropometry of Community School Children Affected from Day Snacks

Abstract

Purpose: To access the current snacking habits of community school children’s dietary habits and health status. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted in a Kathmandu community school to identify the problem of inadequate access to nutritious snacks, school choices, and regular monitoring and collaboration among the students. Used mixed methodologies, reviewed relevant day snack literatures, discussed with the school's early childhood department head, and measured height, weight, and MUAC to identify the nutrition status of children. Collected information was analysed using Ena (WHO software). Total Managl Secondary School, Kirtipur, Kathmandu participated in research n=26 (boys 16 and girls 10) and Mahendra Adarsha Secondary School, Mahalaxmi -4, Imadol, Lalitpur n=27 (boys 15 and girls 12) total numbers of participants 53 were. Findings/Results: There were (14) 63.6% boys and (8) 36.4% girls out which (2) 7.7% moderate and (1) 3.8% severe (1) 3.8% malnutrition in Mangal Secondary School where as (15) 55.6%boys and (12) 44.6% girls out of which (3) 11.1% moderate and equal (3) 11.1% severe malnutrition in Mahendra Adarsha Secondary School. There were severe wasting total (1) 4.5%, Moderate wasting (1) 4.5% and normal (20) 90.9% in Mangal Secondary School, Kirtipur -10, Kirtipur, Kathmandu whereas Moderate Wasting was (3) 11.1%, and normal (24) 88.9% were in Mahendra Adarsha Secondary School. At Mangal Secondary School, Kirtipur -10, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, the prevalence of stunting by age based on height-for-age Z-score showed severe stunting in children aged 42-53 months at 9.1%, moderate stunting at 13.6%, and normal height at 77.3%. Similarly, at Mahendra Adarsha Secondary School, Mahalaxmi -4, Imadol, Lalitpur, the total prevalence showed moderate stunting in children aged 42-53 months at 33.3% and normal height at 66.7%. Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is used for emergency and screening purposes to assess the nutritional status of children. Originality/Value: This research provides insights for policy maker to guide for improvements on Day Snacks Program. Paper Type: Research Analysis