International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition

Authors
Mounika D, Kasturiba B

Abstract
Nutrition during early childhood is of paramount importance because it is a foundation for life time health, strength and intellectual vitality. The study has been conducted with the objective to assess demographic profile and nutritional status of urban and semi-urban pre-school children of Dharwad District. A sample size of 100 pre-school children (3-6 years), where 50 children from the urban and 50 children from semi-urban areas were randomly selected from Dharwad District. The results indicated that majority of mothers and fathers of urban children had completed graduation (32% and 54%, respectively). In case of semi-urban group, majority of mothers and fathers had completed high school education (46% and 52%, respectively). Majority of mothers in urban area were house wives (46%) compared to semi-urban mothers (22%). In case of fathers, majority of urban fathers involved in self-employment category (50%) but very few per cent of fathers from semi-urban area were involved in self-employment category (22%). Nutritional status was assessed and categorised according to Water low’s classification. With respect to nutritional status, normal children were more in urban group (92%) than the semi-urban group (78%). Six per cent and 2 per cent of urban group children were stunted and wasted, respectively. Semi-urban group consists 14 per cent stunted, 6 per cent wasted and 2 per cent wasted and stunted children, respectively.