A Comparative Study on Nutritional Status among Children (3–5 Years) of Employed and Unemployed Mothers in Selected Areas at Mangalore

Parita Shrestha; Mrs. Shanthi S.

Volume : III, Issue : VI, June - 2014

A Comparative Study on Nutritional Status among Children (3–5 Years) of Employed and Unemployed Mothers in Selected Areas at Mangalore

Parita Shrestha, Mrs. Shanthi S.

Abstract :

Malnutrition is widely recognized as a major problem in developing countries. Descriptive comparative design was used. Purposive sampling technique was used. The data was obtained by using demographic proforma and WHO Child Growth Standards. The result showed that 2% and 10% children of the employed and unemployed mothers were severely stunted. There was no significant difference in height and weight of children of employed and unemployed mothers (t98=1.960, p<0.05). Study showed significant association between the educational status of employed mothers with the height for age and weight for age (P = 0.019, 0.015). Age of the unemployed mothers were significant with the height for age (P = 0.013) and birth weight of their children with the weight for age and weight for height (P = 0.006, 0.009) respectively. The study concluded that the prevalence of overnutrition was more among children of employed mothers whereas undernutrition was more among children of unemployed mothers.