Prevalence of Malnutrition in a Rural Residential Sanskrit School in Baglung, Nepal

Introduction: Under-nutrition is a condition in which there is inadequate consumption, poor absorption or excessive loss of nutrients. Nepal still faces high chronic as well as acute under‐nutrition in children. The following study was conducted a Sanskrit school in rural Baglung to find the prevalence of malnutrition among the children which could reflect the nutritional status of the community. Methods: Out of 60 students admitted to the school, only 43 were present at the time when we collected our data. Weight was measured with a standard weighing scale and standing height with a measuring tape attached to the wall. Data were filled up in proforma, entered in Microsoft Excel 2013 and were analyzed and indicators calculated with SPSS version 20 using WHO Child Growth Reference data for 5-19 years and macros. Results: Stunting (Z score < -2) was found in 53.5 % of the study group and severe stunting (Z score < -3) was found in 25.6%. 12.5% of the 8 children under 10 years in our study had weight for age < -2 Z score which indicates underweight. No one was severely underweight. In our study, 2.3% had severe thinness (Z-score < -3), 14% had thinness (Z-score < -2). No one was overweight or obese. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition was high among the students of the rural Sanskrit school where the study was conducted. Keywords: anthropometry; Baglung; malnutrition; Nepal; prevalence