NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

We are witnessing that today in the world we have a gap between obese (economically developed countries) and malnourished (economically underdeveloped) children. It is very important to note that developing countries have a double problem, obesity and malnutrition. Obesity brings with it diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular, while malnutrition slows growth and development due to lack of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals in the body. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the nutritional status of children during growth and development with the aim of early detection and preventive action. 04.03 World Obesity Day should be an awareness day on this issue in all educational institutions. The aim of this study is to assess the nutritional status of preschool children, which includes children aged 5 to 6 years, of which 53.4% are boys and 44.6% are girls. The BMI body mass index calculation method was used to determine the nutritional status and its values are obtained by dividing the body mass (TM) by the square of the height (TV) [TM (kg) / TV² (m)]. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2021, for which a sample of 133 children was used. The research was conducted in four kindergartens or preschool institutions: PU Maštaonica in Tuzla, PU Maarif in Sarajevo, JU Kindergarten Travnik in Travnik, PU Maslačak in Banja Luka. Body weight was measured using a digital scale with an accuracy of 0.1 kg and body height using an atropometer with an accuracy of 0.1 cm. The results of our research show that of the 71 boys, 14% are malnourished, and 24% are overweight, of which 15% are obese, while of the 62 girls, 5% are malnourished and 16% are overweight, of which 8% are obese.. The obtained data indicate mandatory monitoring of nutritional status and mandatory preventive action to stop the growth of this public health problem.