In order to evaluate the nutritional status of preschool children in relation to family planning variables such as the number of sibling, birth order and birth interval from preceding and next sibling, a dietary survey of 246 preschool children, ranging from one to five years old was performed in low income families in the suburbs of Seoul. The survey was conducted from June to August 1977.
This study includes analytic data on dietary intake, physical status and prevalence of angular stomatitis.
Dietary intake level was measured by the 24-hour recall method with interview of children´s mothers or other family members caring for the children. The calculated nutrient intakes were expressed as a percentage of recommended dietary requirements for age 1 through 5 respectively, and the height, weight and arm circumference were used as physical measurement. The observed height and weight were compared with the Korean standards of 1975 report, and the arm circumferences with the Jelliffe´s standard.
Then, the physical growth values below 90% of each standard were classified according to family planning variables.
1. Dietary intake
The larger the number of sibling and the later the birth order, the lesser the nutrient intakes were obseriled. Thus, the energy, protein, calcium and riboflavin intakes were proportionally decreased (P<0. O1).
.The longer the birth interval the lesser the nutrient intakes were also detected, but the effect of birth interval on nutrient intakes was not so great as those of the number of sibling and birth order. 2. Physical status
The larger the number of sibling and, the later the birth order, the poorer physical condition was observed (below 90% -of standards), relative to height and weight, but the arm circumference for age was inverse. And the shorter the birth interval from preceding sibling and the longer the birth interval until next sibling, the poorer development in weight and arm circumference was observed. 3. The Prevalence of angular stomatitis
|