Nutritional Status of Pre-School and School Children in Slums of Bombay Suburbs

Abstract

Nutrition and vitamin A deficiency has been considered as a wide-spread public health problem among young children of socio economically backward families in many parts of the world often leading to increased incidence of xerophtinalmia and malnutrition. In India situation with respect to nutrition and vitamin A deficiency varies from region to region due to difference in dietary habits and socio economical status. Several studies related to food and nutrient intake of population of poor socio economical status have been carried out in rural areas. During past few decades rapid industrialization and urbanization has taken place in India and not much information is available on the food and nutrient intake of urban families of poor socio economical status. Diets of low income population are cereal based and most of the nutrients is met by cereals.