Published Paper Details:

A total of five hundred and ninety-one (591) school children of 6+ and 7+ years of age living in Mysore city were recruited as subjects using purposive sampling technique. Both schools and households visit were carried out to recruit the subjects. A self-developed questionnaire was administered to the parents to collect the data on socio-demographic conditions and birth history of children. The anthropometric measurements of children were recorded by using standard methods and techniques. The anthropometric data were further used to calculate indices such as BMI-for-age, Height-for-age and Weight-for-age according to child growth reference of World Health Organization. The findings of the study indicates that the prevalence of malnutrition was distinctively higher among school children born with Low birthweight (LBW) (Stunting=81.3%, underweight= 82.6% and Undernutrition=54.0 %) than school children born with Normal Birthweight (Stunting= 37.6%, underweight=32.6% and Undernutrition=25.12 %). Within Low birthweight groups significant association of gender, age and education with level of stunting (Ht/Age), Age and education with level of underweight (Wt/age) were noticed. Within normal birthweight group, significant association of gender with level of underweight (wt/age) and undernutrition (BMI/age), age and education with level of stunting (Ht/age), education with level of undernutrition (Wt/age) were noticed. Overall, the present study concluded that birth weight determines the physical growth and nutritional status of children in late childhood years i.e. at school age period. The study suggests the implementation of intervention programs and stimulating programs to reduce the long-term consequences of infants born with low birthweight.