“Compare the Nutritional Status and Dietary Diversity of Rural and Urban School Aged Children in Bagalkot, Karnataka.”

Abstract

Background: In India there persists a huge difference between urban and rural life. The children in their school age explore and experience new things that directly or indirectly influence their health. One of such things in diversity in their diet.

Objective: the aim of the study was to compare the nutritional status and dietary diversity of rural and urban school aged children, Bagalkot, Karnataka.

Method: Two samples were selected by stratified random sampling technique. One from rural primary school (N= 274) and another from urban primary school (278). The data was collected by structured questionnaire and FANTA dietary diversity tool. Chi square test was used to determine the difference between dietary diversity and Mann Whitney’s test was used to compare nutritional status.

 Result: the mean age of urban children was 9.18 ± 2.12 years and mean age of rural children was 9.09 ± 2.22 years. There was no significant difference found between dietary diversity of urban and rural children. A significant difference (P< 0.002) was found in weight for age of rural children and urban children.

Conclusion: The availability of diet in rural and urban area is similar. There is significant difference in nutritional status in terms of weight for age of rural and primary school children.