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Exploring the multifaceted influences on childhood nutritional status: A study conducted in South Punjab, Pakistan
The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) in Pakistan, particularly affecting school-aged children, involves both undernutrition and overnutrition within the same group. This issue is driven by changes in diet, socioeconomic conditions, and lifestyle due to rapid urbanization. Akhtar et al. (2024) conducted this work to ascertain the prevalence of underweight and overweight pupils in Multan, Pakistan, as well as the risk factors and sociodemographic traits associated with these conditions. To address this intricate health issue, the intention is to provide guidance for upcoming health actions. This descriptive cross-sectional study included anthropometric measurements and interviews with female teenage students to gather data. A complete school list that included children from both urban and rural locations was used to choose a random sample of 300 pupils. Students were categorized into underweight, normal weight, and overweight groups based on their body mass index (BMI), which was determined by taking their height and weight measurements. With the use of an interview questionnaire, risk variables were evaluated. After data analysis, findings were compared across various weight categories and stratified by nutritional, psychological, and socioeconomic characteristics. The study discovered relationships between BMI, food habits, and socioeconomic level. The nutritional condition of children was significantly influenced by their parents’ work; children of laborers were primarily underweight or of normal weight. The frequency of fast food and dairy consumption, among other dietary practices, was found to be substantially correlated with nutritional status. Psychosocial factors such as comments from peers or teachers about weight and participation in outdoor sports also influenced students’ nutritional status. Nevertheless, there was no discernible correlation found between nutritional condition and characteristics like as family wealth, the amount of time spent playing video games, and owning pets. The study emphasizes how socioeconomic status, eating habits, and BMI interact in a complicated way among kids in Multan, Pakistan, highlighting the necessity of focused and all-encompassing health interventions. [NPID: Punjab, Pakistan, Multan, BMI, dietary habits, socioeconomic factors, children, underweight, overweight]
Year: 2024
