The prevelance of malnutrition and its risk factors in children aged 6?17 years in aydin city

A total of 940 students (boys 459, girls 469) aged between 7 to 17 years, were chosen by using stratified random sampling method from the primary schools and high schools in the city center of Aydın. The permission for the study was taken from the Aydın office of the governor and from the directorship of the national education, also written informed consent was taken from the families. Data concerning socio-economic levels and food consumption using a questionnaire. The questionnaire form was filled by the parents. All the children?s weight and height measurements were performed by the same pediatrician. Anthropometric measurements were transformed into percentiles and z-scores, and nutritional status was evaluated by CDC indicators. Statistical analysis was performed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann Whitney U test and chi-square test.RESULTS: The overall prevalences of underweight, wasting, stunting, overweight and obesity were %1,7, %2, %2,7, %21,4, %5,2 respectively. Risk factors associated with malnutrition were: low educational level of parents, work status of parents and birth weight. In the studied population, malnutrition (underweight, wasting, stunting, overweight and obesity) still represent serious public health problems. The risk factors identified in the present study confirm the influence of socio-demographic factors on the nutritional status of children.IN CONCLUSION: In our city, higher prevalences of malnutrition, overweight and obesity are found in the primary school students. Students should be screened for growth at the beginning; implementation of prevention and treatment programmes should be given priority.