Health Status of School Children in Ludhiana City

Research question: What is the health and nutritional status of school children in Ludhiana? Objectives: To assess the health and nutritional status of school children in the age group of 5-16 years and to find out their morbidity pattern. Study design: Descriptive study. Setting: A secondary school of Ludhiana city. Participants: 776 students of both sexes 462 boys and 314 girls. Study variables: Height weight medical history and general physical examination. Statistical analysis: Proportions. Results: Girls of all ages except the 14 years old had lower mean weight for age in comparison to mean height as compared to expected weight for age as per ICMR standards. The expected height for age as per ICMR standards was also less in both boys and girls of all ages except the 15 and 16 year old. The prevalence of wasting and stunting in these children was high (52.2% wasted and 26.3% stunted) with boys and girls suffering almost equally. The 11-15 years old were affected most. 72.4% children were found to be suffering from some sickness at the time of examination. 26% had anaemia with girls suffering more (30.5%) than the boys (22.9%). Conclusions: The study reveals the poor nutritional and health status of school children under study identifying this group for targeted services aimed at improvement of their health and nutritional status. (authors)