Abstract:
This study was conducted to assess nutritional status of primary school
children aged 5-10 years in Mihinthale DS Division, Anuradhapura. A sample of 100
subjects was selected from all primary schools through multi-stage sampling. Anthro-
pometric measurements were performed using standardized procedure on primary
school children. Anthropometric indices such as BMI were generated. Information on
socioeconomic characteristics of households and dietary patterns of children were
gathered by an interview schedule, which includes a food frequency questionnaire.
According to WHO classification, children shows a considerable risk for being un-
derweight (47%), wasted (4%), overweight (8%) and obese (5%). The prevalence of
severe malnutrition is higher among most students in the area due to low income and
high costs of food and other goods. Among the tested individuals, 51% of children
from farm families in the tank cascade systems in Mihintale were at high risk for
malnutrition (underweight (47%), wasted (4%)). After analyzing the completed ques-
tionnaire and information provided by the students, 14% of them have identified nu-
tritional diseases like vitamin A deficiency, night blindness and iron deficiency. Most
of the primary school children suffer from nutritional issues such as being under-
weight and malnutrition in Mihinthale DS Division. Therefore effective long term
food security program may need from governmental as well as non-governmental or-
ganizations targeting the primary school children such as school level nutrition related
clinics, food providing programs.
