Publication:

Nutritional status based on anthropometry among primary school children with and without school feeding program

Background Primary school period is a dynamic and growing period. So, school nutrition intervention promotes children’s nutritional status, thereby improving the overall health status of a country as they are the nation's biggest investment. The objective of this study is to compare the nutritional status based on anthropometry among primary school children with and without a school feeding program.

Methods A comparative cross-sectional study using simple random sampling to select 194 primary school children aged 6-13 years enrolled in two primary schools with (N=97) and without (N=97) school nutrition intervention in two upazilas in Rajbari district, Bangladesh. Data were collected from respondents with the assistance of guardians and teachers. Anthropometric data (height, weight, MUAC, body mass index for age Z score, height for age Z score, weight for age Z score,) were measured by anthro-plus software and overall data were analyzed by SPSS version 25.

Results Of the total 194 respondents, the prevalence of stunting 9.3%, underweight 20.8%, thinness 27.8%, overweight 8.2%, and obesity 1.5% were observed. The prevalence of stunting 5.2%, underweight 21%, thinness 33%, and overweight 2.1% were found among the SFP group whereas 13.4% stunting, 20.5% underweight, 22.7% thinness, 14.4% overweight, and 3.1% obesity were found among without SFP group. The mean BMI-for-age Z scores were significantly lower (p=0.001) in the SFP group than in without SFP group. Socio-demographic characteristics may overrule this effect.

Conclusions Findings suggest that determining the dietary pattern, and clinical signs and improving socio-demographic conditions may improve the nutritional status of the children with the school feeding program.