Abstract:
This study was conducted with the aim for comparative nutritional status between
primary level school children aged 5-10 years of private and public schools of
Gauradaha Municipality, Jhapa. Simple random sampling method was used to
determine the sample population. Out of 180 sample size, 90 were from private
schools and 90 were from public schools. Anthropometric measurements of the
children were taken by measuring their height and weight using standardized tools.
To obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, household
characteristics, physical activities etc interview students was done by using
structure pre-tested questionnaires. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0
and WHO Anthro Plus version 1.0.4. Chi-square test was used to find out the
factors associated with stunting, underweight and thinness.
The overall prevalence stunting, thinness and underweight in the surveyed
area was found to be 41.1%, 20% and 37.7% respectively. Out of which children
from private school comprises 20% of stunting, 7.8% of thinness and 13.3% of
underweight whereas children from public school comprise 21.1% of stunting,
12.2% of thinness and 24.4% of underweight. Highest percentage of stunting and
underweight was found in the age group of 8-10 years i.e.14.4% and 16.7%
respectively. Similarly, children who belong to 5-8 yr age group were found to be
more thinned i.e. 6.7%. Male child from both private and public school were found
to be more stunted, thinned and underweight than female child. Among public
school children gender (P= 0.009) and the type of game usually played (P=0.023)
was found to be significantly associated with underweight. Factors such as gender
(P=0.018), type of house (P=0.020) and purification of water (P=0.030) were found
to be significantly associated with thinness of public school children. From public
schools, vegetarian children were found to significantly associated (P=0.049) with
stunting. No any factors such as family type, father‘s occupation, birth order and
food preferences were found to be significantly associated with stunting, thinness
and underweight of children from private school
Description:
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Central
Campus of Technology, Tribhuvan University, in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.
