The Nutrıtıonal Status and Growth Of The Pre-School Children

Abstract

In this study, the n utritional status and growth of preschool children had been investigated. For this purpose, 240 children between the ages of 2 - 6 years from different socioeconomic levels in Ankara were included in this study. Food consumptions of these 240 children for three days were examined and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Heights of 12.1 % and weights of 15 % of the children were below the standards. It was also found th a t this ra te was higher in children över 5 years (61 months and över) of age. Energy consumption was lower in «older th an 37 months» age group, and this was found statistically significant (P < 0.001). The average energy consumption of children younger than 3 years of age was sufficient fo r th e ir requirements. Although the percentage of children whose dietary protein consumptions vvere eith e r insufficient o r ju st enough for th e ir requirements was very low (3 %), it can be observed th a t this percentage ıvas high for animal protein (36.2 %). The average daily zinc consumption, of children was 5.6 ± 0.1 mg and percentage approximately equal to the half of th e ir requirements and percantage of zinc deficicnt children was 81.3 %. Also the percentage of children who had consumed insufficient calcium, niacin, riboflavin and iron was high.