Nutritional Status of Female Students in the Sixth Grade Attending a Rural Primary School

Ro, Hee Kyung

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of female students in the 6th grade in a rural primary school. The anthropometric data showed their mean height and weight were 149.5+/-6.5 cm and 41.3+/-7.6 kg, respectively, which are slightly higher than those in the Korean Standard Growth data. It was further observed that there was a wide variation in terms of physical growth and development among subjects. The mean hematocrit value was 40.3+/-3.3% and the mean hemoglobin concentration was 12.9+/-1.0gm/dl. It was proven that 22.8% of subjects were anemic based on the WHO standards for hemoglobin level. Twenty four hour dietary recall revealed that their food intakes of subjects was appropriate, compared to the RDA except for Ca. Mean Ca intake among subjects was 381.3 mg which is 47.7% of RDA. Nutrition education from mothers and the school influence nutrient intake significantly. Special nutrition education programs targeting mothers and students should be developed to provide practical assistance such as food choice and the forming of good eating habit.