Assessment of nutritional status of school children residing in G.V.Raja Sports School

Abstract

A study on the “Assessment of nutritional status of school children residing in G.V.Raja sports school” was conducted on G.V. Raja Sports School, Sanghumugham. It was found that majority of them were Christians and belonged to forward community and families were joint type with medium size. Most of the children were born as first or second child. Food consumption pattern revealed that all of them were non vegetarians and consume all of foods from different food groups viz. cereals, pulses roots & tubers, animal foods , milk and leafy vegetables in their home diet. Many of the athletes preferred food combinations like cereals, meat with vegetable preparations. Taste and nutritive value were the major reason for recording the food preferences. Analysis of the dietary menu followed in the hostel it was observed that foods from different food groups were included in the dietaries of the hostel. However the athletes resort to their own food preferences in both groups. Reason being the unfamiliarity of foods, and inclusion of more amount of non-vegetarian foods served. There is a practice of taking special foods by sports children during pre and post game periods. But it was observed that very few of them practices such a habit. Special foods were also taken by the athletes while preparing for competitions. It was observed that 34 percent of them taken special foods while preparing for competitions. Majority of the athletes restrict the quantity of food they consume, during the period of preparation for competition. On analyzing anthropometric data it was found that weight from age, height for age of athletes did not significantly differ from the standards suggested by Vijayaraghavan (1971). However when compared to NCHS standards the weight and height profile of the children were found to be below the standard. Majority of boys and girls had normal body mass index whereas arm circumference of the girls were above than the standards. Same trend was seen in boys with regard to skinfold thickness. Clinical examination of the athletes indicated that dental carries and mottled enamel were common manifestations. Haemoglobin levels were found to be higher than the normal for all athletes. Nutritional status of the boys in the age groups 13 and 14 years were found to be significantly higher than that of girls. In the age groups 15, 16 and 17 girls were significantly superior in nutritional status than boys. Consumption pattern of the athletes depicted that cereals and pulses were consumed higher than the recommended daily allowances whereas other food stuffs were consumed inadequately. Nutrients such as calories, proteins and Vitamin A were met around eighty five percent of the recommended daily allowances. The other nutrients were met inadequately when compared to the recommended daily allowances. Athletics was the most preferred activity among the children surveyed and majority of them participate regularly in their activities. Energy expenditure pattern of the athletes revealed that in majority of the boys and in all the girls energy intake was surplus than expenditure.