ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN OF QUETTA CITY

¹Dr. Asif Mehmood, ²Dr. Syed Aqeel Akbar Shah Gillani, ³Dr. Attaullah Bangulzai, ⁴Dr. Farina Sarwar, ⁵Dr beenish manzoor

¹Bmc.
²AP BMC.

³Associate BMC

⁴WAPDA hosp Rawalpindi

⁵Wapda hospital Rawalpindi

ABSTRACT:

Background: Nutritional status plays a critical role in the physical and cognitive development of children. Malnutrition in early childhood can lead to long-term health consequences and academic underperformance. Quetta, a major urban center in Baluchistan, Pakistan, has seen limited research focused on the nutritional well-being of its primary school children.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of primary school children in Quetta city and to identify the prevalence of undernutrition and overnutrition within this population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bolan Medical College, Quetta, and included a sample of 100 primary school children from various schools in Quetta city. The study spanned a period from March 2024 to February 2025. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI), and dietary intake assessments. Nutritional status was categorized based on WHO growth standards.

Results: The study found that 42% of the children were undernourished, with 28% classified as underweight and 14% as stunted. Overnutrition was observed in 18% of the participants, with 12% overweight and 6% obese. The remaining 40% of children had normal nutritional status. A higher prevalence of undernutrition was noted among children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Dietary patterns showed insufficient intake of fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods in the majority of the undernourished group.

Conclusion: The findings highlighted a dual burden of malnutrition among primary school children in Quetta city, with both undernutrition and overnutrition present. The study underscores the need for targeted nutritional interventions, school-based health education, and policies aimed at improving the dietary habits and overall well-being of school-aged children.

Keywords: Nutritional status, primary school children, Quetta, malnutrition, undernutrition, overnutrition, anthropometry.