Dietary diversity score a reliable indicator for normal nutritional status in preschool children

Nutrition in preschool age plays an important role influencing growth and development. Periodic assessment in children is needed to determine their nutritional status and so as to identify problems in their food regimes . Objective The present research paper aimed to study nutritional status of anaemic and non- anaemic preschool children .The present study again aimed to determine Dietary diversity score between meals consumed by preschool-aged children in the selected experimental and control groups and relate DDS as a reliable indicator for normal nutritional status. Materials and methods The sample for the study comprised of 50 preschool children of 48-54 months, selected randomly from the rural areas of Malappuramdistrict, Kerala. 25 children evidenced of anaemia formed the experimental group and 25 children with normal haemoglobin levels were included as the control group. Haemoglobin levels were identified through finger prick method. The socioeconomic anthropometric standards were collected through prepared schedules. DDS was calculated from 24 hour recall for 3 days. Results The results of the study indicated that there was statistical significance in between the control group and experimental group with respect to height ,weight, head circumference .chest circumference and Hb levels. Control group children found to have normal anthropometric standards, while the experimental group children were found to be in mild grades of malnutrition. A statistical significance was observed in between the groups with respect to DDS. Conclusion The present study indicated that the nutritional status of preschool children should be given prime importance by their food diversity and proper awareness among the mothers can help to reduce the problem in a subtle way.