Ecological factors and nutritional status of nursery school children in rural Dharwad, India

A cross‐sectional survey of 120 children enrolled in Balwadis (rural nursery schools) in four farming villages near Dharwad, India was made. Three‐child families were common. Breast‐feeding for 1 to 2 years was usual. Supplementary foods were milk, cereals, and pulses, the two last predominating, with negligible quantities of vegetables and dairy products. Tea was the usual beverage.

Heights of the children were comparable to those of well nourished children in New Delhi, although a mild degree of malnutrition by Gomez classification was common (81.6 percent). Five children were suffering from grade III malnutrition.

The need for parent education to encourage schooling among children of eligible age, derive maximum benefit from ongoing nutrition programmes, and focus attention on suitable weaning foods and diet planning to include available vegetables is indicated. The findings suggest improving facilities for dairying to meet the needs of the local people.

Key words:

• nutritional status
• nursery school children
• India
• rural
• ecology
• survey
• diet
• weaning
• supplementary feeding programme
• food score