Vol. 7, Issue 7 (2018)

Author(s):
Idris Ali Aisha, Gupta Alka and Paul Virginia

Abstract:
The present study was conducted to find out the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among school going children aged 6 – 12 years and to assess the nutritional status of these selected school going children. Information was collected using a structured performa. Out of the 30 children examined, the overall prevalence of VAD was found to be 43.33%. The prevalence of VAD was highest in > 10 and ≤ 12 years of age group children and lowest in the 6 and ≤ years age group. The prevalence of VAD was slightly higher among girls as compared to boys. The prevalence of VAD was significantly higher among the children belonging to lower socioeconomic class as compared to those belonging to upper and middle socioeconomic class. Nearly 56.7% of children were found to be underweight while 13.3% were overweight. In order to overcome the relentless vitamin A deficiency problem in the community, regular intake of plant foods rich in carotene such as carrots, green leafy vegetables, yellow fruits, animal foods like cod liver oil, lamb liver, fish liver oil, fortified food like margarine should be highly encouraged through nutrition education.