Survey On The Nutritional and Health Status Of School Children Between The Ages Of 10 - 12 Years

Abstract

The nutritional and health status of 355 school children, aged 10-12 years old have been investigated. 16.9% of the children were below the standards for Turkish children. The means and the Standard deviations of the body vveight and height for boys and girls were 31.7 ± 6.22 kg. and 31.5 ± 6.41 kg., 138.4 ± 6.22 cm. and 138.4 ± 8.03 cm. respectively. The consumption of cereals were high but the consumption of milk and milk products, legumes, green leafy vegetables and fats vvere low. Energy, calcium, vitamin A, riboflavin and generally vitamin C consumptions were insufficient; Mean iron consumption level was seemed to be sufficient; but as it came from cereals and vegetables, its absorption was low. 22.5 % of children had pale conjunctiva, 7.0 % of cheilosis and angular lesions, 2.0% of bleeding gums and 42.8% of dental caries were determined. 35.8 % of the children had hemoglobin values below 12.0 gr/100 mİ. In the prevention of the nutritional problems of the school children, nutrition education was recommended.