A Study on the Nutritional Status of High School Children in St. Xavier's School (Telugu Medium), Eluru

By taking a proper diet which consists of all the major and minor nutrients in a proper balanced state, everyone can maintain a good health. A proper diet also helps to maintain a correct balance of both mental and physical health. But due to lack of proper nourishment, about 1/3rd of children under 3 years of age in the state of undivided Andhra Pradesh (currently divided as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) were identified as under malnourished (as per NFHS - 3, 2005 - 2006) with 29.8% children are under weight, 38.4% children are stunted, 14.9% children are wasted and 79.6% of the children are anemic. Hence these children start going to school but remain under nourished and uncared. Some children due to good economic background, lack of outdoor games and other reasons mainly, lack of time for planning a proper diet and these effects the health of children mainly due to consumption of fast foods they become obese and over nourished and also many other complications are seen or noticed in this people or children. So these two conditions are like two sides of a coin which have to be carefully studied and understood. According to World Health Organisation, individuals between 10 and 19 years are considered adolescent. There are many physical and mental changes which results due to the influence of hormones. It is during in this period that the final growth spurt occurs with increase in height and weight. Physical and psychosocial pressures influence adolescents eating habits. Boy?s fares better than girls in their large appetite and sheer volume of food leads him to consume adequate nutrients. Teenagers have the reputation of having the worst eating habits. They may skip a meal particularly breakfast. Adequate well balanced nutritious foods should be taken to prevent obesity or under nutrition. No meal of the day should be missed, as adolescence represents a period of active life. Junk food should be avoided. Avoid empty calories food such as carbonated beverages. Calories and protein rich foods should be taken to support the growth spurt. Include fruits and vegetables in the diet to meet the vitamins, minerals and fiber requirement. Eating habits should be independent of emotion. Parents should encourage the adolescents to cook at home, a nutritious and tasty food. Home based diets are best for children growth. Adolescents who eat high calorie and high fat foods become over weight and obese. Skipping meals at home and consuming foods that are junk also contribute to overweight. They may snack between meals. They may also include fruits and vegetables in their diets. ICMR surveys (2003) showed that 70% of adolescents are anemic. Anemia is the most common in all groups of adolescents irrespective of social class. Anemia is more common in poor class since intake is poor mainly due to non availability of healthy foods. In higher classes personal likes and dislikes and food taboos lead to anemia. Studies carried out by NNMB (2003) in the rural population revealed that the prevalence of under nutrition among adolescents, as assessed by weight for age is about 40 - 50% and that of iron deficiency anemia is about 70%.