Effect of environmental factors on growth and morbidity of urban Montessori children receiving supplementation

Abstract

The roles of morbidity and environmental conditions in determining nutritional status were investigated in urban Montessori school children. In all, 265 children (30-60 months) were observed for weight, height, morbidity status and their household environmental conditions including hygiene, overcrowding, waste disposal methods and general housing background. The same sample was observed again after six months to assess their growth. Mean weight and height of all the children were 13.0 ± 1.4 kg and 95.9 ± 5.3 cm respectively. Relative gain in weight was observed to be 60-70 gms/kg during the six months period. Children were receiving total supplementation of about 170 kcal and about 5 g of protein per day. The children were divided into two classes according to their living conditions. Six factors formed the basis of scores which were used to classify all households into good and average environmental conditions. Those with better environmental conditions were associated with better nutritional status of children. The number of days lost due to sickness per ill child were smaller in houses with better scores. Relative gain in weight was negatively correlated with days lost due to illness suggesting synergistic effects of duration of illness and environment on nutritional status.