Review on Nutritional Status, Dietary Practices and Factors Associated with Malnutrition among School-Age Children in Rural and Urban Areas (District Jaunpur, U.P.)

Abstract

Malnutrition is a major nutritional and public-health concern affecting children and adolescents in India. It includes under nutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and over nutrition, with stunting, wasting, underweight, anemia, overweight and obesity representing important manifestations. The nutritional condition of children is influenced by dietary quality, household food security, socioeconomic status, parental education, sanitation, healthcare access and feeding practices. Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh provides an important regional context for examining these interrelated determinants. The District Nutrition Profile of Jaunpur prepared using national survey data indicates a substantial burden of child under nutrition and anemia, while more recent national evidence demonstrates the continuing importance of addressing both under nutrition and emerging overweight. This review synthesizes available evidence related to malnutrition, dietary practices, micronutrient deficiencies, socioeconomic determinants and possible Home Science-based interventions relevant to Jaunpur district. Evidence from South Asia indicates that nutritional problems among school-age children and adolescents remain heterogeneous and that inadequate dietary diversity and unhealthy food consumption are important concerns. Nutrition education, dietary diversification, school-based interventions, growth monitoring and family-centered counseling can contribute to improving nutritional outcomes. The review identifies a need for more district-specific research among school-age children in Jaunpur, particularly studies combining anthropometric assessment, dietary diversity, nutritional awareness and socioeconomic variables.