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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics Advance Access published online on July 26, 2006
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, doi:10.1093/tropej/fml031
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© The Author [2006]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Clinical Investigation

Is Undernutrition a Problem among Turkish School Children?: Which Factors have an Influence on It?

Emel Gür 1 *, Günay Can 2, Semra Akkus 1, Gökmen Ercan 1, Ahmet Arvas 1, Sima Güzelöz 3, and Serdar Çifçili 3

1 Department of Pediatrics, Cerrahpasa Medical School, University of Istanbul, Turkey
2 Department of Public Health, Cerrahpasa Medical School, University of Istanbul, Turkey
3 Ayhan Sahenk Foundation, Ayazaga, Instanbul, Turkey

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Emel Gür, E-mail: egur{at}istanbul.edu.tr


  Abstract

Undernutrition is a frequent manifestation and an important health problem. The aim of this study was to analyse the variables of nutritional status among primary school children and to determine the risk factors associated with it.

The study group was composed of 1576 students between 6 and 16 years of age. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting were calculated according to WHO recommended cut-off points to define undernutrition. Chi-square tests, logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of undernutrition and the sociodemographic factors.

The overall prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting were found as 5.7, 4.6 and 1.0%, respectively. There were significant relationships between underweight and age, sex, number of family members, monthly family income. But, a significant correlation was found only between stunting and age. No correlation was found between wasting and sociodemographic factors.

Undernutrition is still a common problem among primary school children in Istanbul. Identification of risk factors is essential for prevention of undernutrition.

Keywords: undernutrition; underweight; stunting; wasting; sociodemographic factors.
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