Nutritional assessment of preschool children in Zagazig, Sharkia Governorate

Abstract

Introduction: Nutritional status is a complex concept that is difficult to define. Adequate nutritional status can perhaps be best defined as maintenance of a normal pattern of growth and a normal body composition by consumption of appropriate amounts and types of food. Malnutrition is even more difficult to define. Aim of the work:To assess nutritional status of preschool children 1-5 years in Zagazig, Sharkia Governorate.To determine factors affecting their nutritional status. Subjects and methods: Study design:Descriptive study was carried out in order to achieve a cross-sectional design is suitable for achievement of study objectives.Sampling:1000 preschool children attending in Family Medicine Clinic of El-Nahal Region in Zagazig City, Sharkia Governorate.Systematic random sample technique was used. We took the first child from the selected age group, then we took the fifth child from the same age group with average around 50 children per day until the sample size is completed in a 6-month study period and the samples were taken two days per week. Results: This study carried out at El-Nahal Family Medicine Center in zagazig city for nutritional assessment of preschool children at Zagazig City from 1-5 year. The sample size is 1000 preschool children. Conclusion: In conclusion, several factors including father and mother educational levels, medical history of participants, carbohydrates, cooked vegetable and sweet consumption are the most important factors affecting child weight and height percentiles. Recommendations:Better and satisifactory maternal education about adequate nutrition of childern.Out line a program for preventing of malenutrition at community or national level. Health educaion throgh mass media.Babies should start to breast feed as soon as possible and beggin weanning at the right time. Keywords: Nutritional assessment,Preschool children, Sharkia Governorate