International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition

Authors
Rita Mishra, Vimla Dunkwal

Abstract
BMI, formerly called the quetelet index, is a measure for indicating nutritional status. It is defined as a person ‘weight in kilograms divided by the square of the person’s height in meters(kg/m2) Nutritional status of primary school children of rural and urban areas 827 school children aged 7-9 years of Bikaner district (Rajasthan) was studied by using Body mass index (BMI). It was showing that the overall percentage of mild under nourished were more 26.57 per cent were boys and 33.45 per cent were girls with mean BMI of 13.86&13.57. The percentage of severe under malnourished were 23.77 per cent in boys &13.60 per cent girls with mean BMI of 11.58 &11.19 and 19.85 per cent & 18.85 per cent were mild under nourished with mean BMI of 12.94 &12.50. Whereas, 24.01 & 29.49 per cent were normal in both the groups of rural and urban areas with mean BMI of 15.43 & 15.30. Only 4.41, 5.48 and 1.47 per cent were overweight and obese with mean BMI of 20.07 & 24.47 of boy and girl subjects. None of the subjects were found to be obese in girls groups. Findings present study indicates great scope of nutrition education programme for school going children and parents.