Nutritional Status and Diet Quality in 7-10 Years Old School Going Children

Diet quality index is a measure of the quality of diet using a composite of recommendation regarding the consumption of foods and nutrients. This study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status and observe the diet quality and their association in 7-9 years old school going children. The sample comprised 120 boys and girls who were randomly selected from three schools. Background information was collected using self-designed questionnaire; socio economic status was assessed using Kuppuswamy's socioeconomic status scale. Anthropometric measurements included height and weight. Weight for age and height for age Z scores were calculated using WHO reference. Twenty four hour dietary recall was used to collect information regarding diet and nutrient intake; nutrient adequacy ratio and mean adequacy ratio were calculated. Healthy Eating Index-Canadian was used to assess diet quality of the subjects. According to weight for age Z score, 5.8% were underweight and 0.83% were severely underweight. Nutrient adequacy was inadequate for energy and iron, and was 75% higher than normal for fat. As per HEI-C diet quality of all the subjects was poor. Diet quality was not associated with anthropometric measurements of the subjects. Weak positive correlation was observed in nutrient intake and diet quality score, and no significant association was found between nutritional status and diet quality (p>0.05) and socio economic status and diet quality (p>0.0.5) of children.