Assessment of the Nutritional Status of Some Primary School Children in Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt.

This study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status of some primary schools children in Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt. some primary schools  from Tersa village, Qaha city, Sahel Degwi village and  Toukh city, were selected, A random sample was taken from each school that included distribution between males and females with (43.47%) for males and (56.53%) for females. Pupils were randomly selected, and schools were chosen from different regions to represent different socioeconomic backgrounds. Questionnaires were taken from them over course of three times during semester, where social status of the father and mother for the children of each selected sample. It was found that (99.43%) are married, while there are no cases of divorce and there was one widow in study sample. As for the educational status of the head of the household, it was found average level (53.3%), above average (16.6%), bachelor’s degree (30%), while the sample does not include illiterate and PhD degree.  The quantities consumed of protein, fatty and carbohydrates foods in the study sample, proved that eggs ranked first among protein foods consumed by primary schools children with 300 eggs / year, followed by milk 72 liters / year, while reached bread ranked first among the carbohydrate products consumed by primary school children 150 pieces / year, followed by potatoes and rice 35 and 32 kg / year, respectively. The characteristics and anthropometric measures for the children of the selected sample were weight, length, middle of the arm circumference, and body mass index showing that weight was 37.1 kg, while length was 129.7 cm. On the other hand, the body mass index was 20.6 cm, and middle of the arm circumference ference was 22.7 cm.  From these results, it could be concluded that nutritional status may affect cognitive development, and the interventions and dietary supplements may improve cognitive abilities in children. Over-nutrition and obesity were the prominent malnutrition problem among studied group, while wasting and underweight was affecting a minimum percentage of their number. Similar studies are needed in the future in different areas in Egypt.