Impact of maternal employment on nutritional status and health of preschoolers in Ludhiana city
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Date
2017
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
To study the impact of mother’s employment on nutritional and health status of children, a total of 120 children (2-5 years) were selected out of which 60 belonged to the mothers employed in corporate sector (GI) and 60 to unemployed mothers (GII). The assessment of nutritional status of children was done by using different parameters such as anthropometry, biochemical, clinical assessment, dietary intake and Healthy Eating Index along with nutrition knowledge of all mothers. The mean weight of boys in GI was higher among all age groups as compared to the boys of GII. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) of boys and girls of all the age groups in GI as well as GII was less as compared to the standards. Overall stunting i.e. Height for age (HAZ) Z scores was found to be higher in GII as compared to GI. The Weight for age (WAZ) Z scores revealed that the incidence of overall malnutrition was found to be more in GII i.e. 46.6% as compared to GI i.e. 25%. The Haemoglobin level of children in GI (10.9 mg/dl ±1.7) was found to be significantly (p≤0.05) higher as compared to those of GII (10.0 mg/dl ±1.4). A non significant difference was observed regarding intake of various food groups by the children of GI and GII. The intake of meat and poultry was significantly (p≤0.05) higher among children of GI as compared to GII. A statistically significant (p≤0.05) difference was observed in the iron intake, which was higher in children of employed mothers (GI). Though a non-significant difference was observed regarding consumption of various nutrients, but the values were found to be higher among children of employed mothers i.e. GI. Healthy Eating Index (HEI) of children of employed mothers was significantly (p≤0.05) higher as compared to that of children of unemployed mothers. The employed mothers had significantly (p≤0.05) higher scores for knowledge, awareness and practices as compared to the unemployed mothers.
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