HOME JOURNALS CONTACT

Pakistan Journal of Nutrition

Year: 2002 | Volume: 1 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 121-123
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2002.121.123
The Nutritional Status of School-Aged Children in an Urban Squatter Settlement in Pakistan
Raheela M.A. Mian, Mohammed Ali, Paola A. Ferroni and Peter Underwood

Abstract: A study was carried out to determine the nutritional status of school-aged children living in an urban squatter settlement in Islamabad, Pakistan. 200 children were selected through systematic random sampling from 1479 children aged 5-10 years living in 1147 households. Measurement of height and body weight revealed a high prevalence of malnutrition among these children. The prevalence of underweight (< 2 standard deviations below the NCHS standard for weight-for-age) was 29.5%, wasting (< 2 SD below standard weight-for-height) 13% and stunting (< 2 SD below standard weight-for-height) 35%. Overall 44% of the children had one or more of underweight, wasting or stunting. Severe malnutrition (< 3 SD below the standard value) was present in 15.4% of the children. The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly higher among older children and those from larger, poorer households. The study recommends the inclusion of school-aged children in the Pakistan National Nutrition Survey.

Fulltext PDF

How to cite this article
Raheela M.A. Mian, Mohammed Ali, Paola A. Ferroni and Peter Underwood, 2002. The Nutritional Status of School-Aged Children in an Urban Squatter Settlement in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 1: 121-123.

Related Articles:
© Science Alert. All Rights Reserved