Survey on Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children in Asan Measured by Anthropometric and Nutrient Intake Analysis

Kim, Hee Seon; Lee, Hyun Ok

Abstract

The nutritional status of pre-school children is important for both physical growth and functional development. This study investigated the anthropometric, nutrient intakes and dietary quality of the pre-school children living in Asan for planning nutritional education program. The dietary intakes were measured by 2-day 24 hr recall recorded by children's mothers and the anthropometric data were collected by measuring children's weights, heights, and percent body fat at Asan Public Health Center. The children were 161 boys and 129 girls aged 5 and 6 years. When children's nutritional status was determined by their anthropometric status (underweight, normal weight and overweight) determined by z-score (normal range between -1.00 and 1.00), only 1.4% of the children belonged to underweight group while 55.7% and 42.9% belonged to normal and overweight groups, respectively. Significantly higher number of children belonged to overweight group for 5 year-olds. No differences were observed in nutrient intakes, nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and index of nutritional quality (INQ) values among nutritional status groups. Intakes of the most nutrients were adequate, but NAR and INQ of calcium and zinc were low. When nutrient intakes, NAR and INQ were compared by sex or age, all nutrient intakes were appropriate except calcium and zinc intakes of 6 year-olds. Nutrient intakes of 5 years were higher than those of 6 years. The mean of nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) was 0.85 and mean INQ was 1.51 for all participants. The nutritional management program for pre-school children in Asan would be directed differently by age groups and education material should contain contents educating to consume moderate amount of food for 5 year-olds and to increase intake of foods with mineral nutrients such as calcium and zinc for 6 year-olds.