An Anthropometric Failure and Associated Socio-Demographic Factors Among 7-13-Year-Old Children in Lahore City, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Childhood malnutrition has always been a public health problem. Childhood malnutrition has a double burden involving undernutrition e.g., stunting, wasting, undernutrition and childhood obesity/overweight which have been greatly enhanced in the past few years.

Methodology: This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition and overweight/obesity among 7-13 years old children of school-going age in Lahore city, Pakistan. A questionnaire was developed in which students were asked questions about their dietary habits, hygienic conditions, source of drinking water, illness, and socioeconomic status. Pearson Chi-square was applied to find the association between anthropometric failure and all these factors.

Results: Prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting, overweight, obesity, abdominal overweight/obesity, and anthropometric failure was 3.6%, 7%, 7%, 2%, 0.26%, 28.8%, and 27.2% respectively.

Conclusion: We concluded a positive association between a mother's education status and undernutrition. There is a need to focus on nutrition education and awareness among parents so that the dietary habits of children may improve. This study highlights the importance of promoting nutrition knowledge of parents and the hygienic conditions of schools and children.