Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Case Study of Anganwadi Preschoolers:Nutrition, Cognition and Developmental Milestones


Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development & Family Relations, Government Home Science College, Chandigarh, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The study was done to investigate nutritional status of*pre-schoolers from low and lower middle income purposively selected groups. The nutritional status was examined on the basis of 24 hour dietary recall method, by the calculation of protein and energy according to the ages of children (3-5 years) with regard to their eating habits of children. Height and weight were assessed according to WHO growth charts and according to the socio-economic status of*children. Pilot study was done before the actual study. The sample (n=200,100 preschoolers- 50 from each agency, 100 respective mothers) was taken from selected Anganwadi (Al) and from dedicated laboratory nursery school under the human development department of Government Home Science College (A2), Chandigarh. A selfdesigned questionnaire for assessment of nutritional status was used. Making of the tool included inputs from authors and from paediatrician from PGIMER, Chandigarh working largely in research dedicated to relationship between nutrition and overall development. Developmental profile-3 test was used to investigate the developmental milestones of children. StimQ test was used to investigate the stimulation quotient of children. The findings were concerning keeping in mind the urbanized well developed city in all its aspects otherwise. The socio economic status of* families of children is low. Overall nutritional status of children was not up to the norms followed (WHO & RDAas per Nutritive & Dietetics, India). However A 2 children scored better than those from A1 .Caregivers and mothers of* 100 children were interviewed to collect necessary information regarding indicators of nutritional status of children. The findings suggested correlation between energy, protein, developmental milestones and stimulation quotient. It further indicates that good energy and protein also positively affect Stimulation Quotient and Developmental Milestones. In other words, good nutrition is important for better mental development. Clinical signs were more evident in A 1 children. Nutritional status of boys was better than that of girls. The state needs to intervene soon on nutritional care and provide dedicated awareness programs and also closely watched supplementary meal schemes.

Keywords

Stimulation Quotient, Developmental Milestones, Nutritional Status, Anganwadi.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Alpem, G.D. (2007). Development profile-3. Western psychological services.

  • Averett, L.S., & Stifel, C.D. (2007). Food for thought: The cognitive effects of childhood malnutrition in the United States. Association of America Annual Conference.

  • Bryan, J., Osendarp, S., Hughes, D., Calvaresi, E., Baghurst, K., & van Klinken, J. W. (2004). Nutrients for cognitive development in school-aged children. National Library of Medicine, d2(8), 295-306.

  • Chowdhary, S.D., & Ghosh, T. (2011). Nutritional and socio-economic status of cognitive development of Santal (a community) children of Purulia district. Annals ofH^umanBiology, .35(2), 188-193.

  • Jukes, M. (2005). The long term impact of preschool health and nutrition on education. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 26{2), 193-201.

  • Kar, B.R. et al. (2008). Cognitive development in children with chronic protein energy malnutrition. The Journal of Behavioural and Brain Functions, biomedical Centre: the Open Access Centre,pp. 120-141.

  • Laude, M. (1999). Assessment of nutritional status, cognitive development and mother child interaction in Central American refugee children. Pan American Saluda Publica, 6(3), 164-171.

  • Grantham-McGregor, S., Cheung, Y.B., Cueto, S., Glewwe,P., Richter, L., & Stmpp,B. (2007). The relationship between under-nutrition, activity levels and development in young children. Journal of Education. 368,60-70.

  • Rosales, F.J., Reznick, J.S., & Zeisel, S.H. (2009). Understanding the role nutrition in the brain and behavioural development of toddlers and preschool children identifying and overcoming methodical barriers. Nutrition Neuroscience, 12(5), 190-202.

  • Ross, A. (2010). Nutrition and it's effects on academic performance, how can our schools improve, nutrition and academic performance. Journal of Health Education, pp. 11-21.


Abstract Views: 232

PDF Views: 0




  • Case Study of Anganwadi Preschoolers:Nutrition, Cognition and Developmental Milestones

Abstract Views: 232  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Ravneet Chawla
Department of Human Development & Family Relations, Government Home Science College, Chandigarh, India

Abstract


The study was done to investigate nutritional status of*pre-schoolers from low and lower middle income purposively selected groups. The nutritional status was examined on the basis of 24 hour dietary recall method, by the calculation of protein and energy according to the ages of children (3-5 years) with regard to their eating habits of children. Height and weight were assessed according to WHO growth charts and according to the socio-economic status of*children. Pilot study was done before the actual study. The sample (n=200,100 preschoolers- 50 from each agency, 100 respective mothers) was taken from selected Anganwadi (Al) and from dedicated laboratory nursery school under the human development department of Government Home Science College (A2), Chandigarh. A selfdesigned questionnaire for assessment of nutritional status was used. Making of the tool included inputs from authors and from paediatrician from PGIMER, Chandigarh working largely in research dedicated to relationship between nutrition and overall development. Developmental profile-3 test was used to investigate the developmental milestones of children. StimQ test was used to investigate the stimulation quotient of children. The findings were concerning keeping in mind the urbanized well developed city in all its aspects otherwise. The socio economic status of* families of children is low. Overall nutritional status of children was not up to the norms followed (WHO & RDAas per Nutritive & Dietetics, India). However A 2 children scored better than those from A1 .Caregivers and mothers of* 100 children were interviewed to collect necessary information regarding indicators of nutritional status of children. The findings suggested correlation between energy, protein, developmental milestones and stimulation quotient. It further indicates that good energy and protein also positively affect Stimulation Quotient and Developmental Milestones. In other words, good nutrition is important for better mental development. Clinical signs were more evident in A 1 children. Nutritional status of boys was better than that of girls. The state needs to intervene soon on nutritional care and provide dedicated awareness programs and also closely watched supplementary meal schemes.

Keywords


Stimulation Quotient, Developmental Milestones, Nutritional Status, Anganwadi.

References