ASSESSMENT OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN JORDAN

Abstract

One hundred ninety four preschool children (106 boys and 88 girls) aged 63.5 months (62-65) from Alkarak and Assalt cities in Jordan participated in this study. The nutritional status of the children was assessed using anthropometry and dietary methods and compared with the available references. Four anthropometrics indices were calculated based on median of US-NCHS standard for attached age. Intakes of energy, macro and micro-nutrients by the children were measured and compared with DRIs. The four Z score anthropometric indices are: height/age(ht/age Z score), weight/heigt(wt/ht Z score), weight/age(wt/age Z score) and BMI/age Z score used to assess stunting, wasting, underweight and undernutrition statuses, respectively. The boys had higher indices and dietary intake than girls. The% of stunted children was about 17 (15 % for boys, % 18 for girls), that of wasted children was about 15% (12 % for boys, %17 for girls), of underweighted children was about 22 (20 % for boys, % 24 for girls), and of undernourished children was about 12 (%10 for boys, %13 for girls). The children consumed inadequate diet. The deficiency in their diet was about-24 % (-24.1 % for boys,-24.2 % for girls) for energy;-37 % (-34.7 % for boys,-39.0 % for girls) for protein;-33 % (-29.3 % for boys,-36.3 % for girls) for seven vitamins (A, C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, B12) ; and-36 % (-33.8 % for boys,-38.4 % for girls) for four minerals (Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Iodine). The deficit in vitamins intake ranged from-25.8% for Folate to-40.8% for C and in minerals intake from-30.5% for iron to-40% for zinc. The children received adequate dietary vitamin E, 6.9mg (about 99% of DRI).