The nutrition and clinical surveys of 171 rural young children were conducted in Gunee County, Kyung Buk Province, one of rural health demonstration project areas in Korea, between December 18 to 22, 1979. The main purpose of the survey was to provide information on the nutritional status of pre-school children in primary health care project areas* of the Korea Health Development Institute for nutrition activities for the vulnerable groups. The results are summarized as follows:
1. Family environment
The mean family size was 5.8 and, 75% of the households had more than 3 children. Seventy-two percent of the mothers and 46% of the fathers of the surveyed households were educated at or below the elementary school level. Seventy-seven percent of the mothers were aged between 20 and 35 years.
2. Anthropometric measurements and hematological values.
The mean weight of boys was beyond the Korean standard, while that of girl was lower. The mean heights of both sexes were slightly lower than the Korean standard, whereas chest and head circumferences were closer to the standards. The mean relative weight of boys was higher than that of girls. The use of the under nutrition borderline of body weight which was set at 30% below the Iowa growth standards categorized 13% of boys and 15..5%ⓒ of girls as under nutrition. The under nutrition borderline of arm circumference which was set at 20%n below the standard as given in Jelliffe (WHO Monograph No.53), categorized 13.8% of boys and 6.6% of girls as under nutrition.
The later the birth order, the lower the height and arm circumference were detected by Pearson correlation coefficient (p<0.05). The´ higher the mother´s educational level and nutrition knowledge, the higher the physical growth was observed (p<0.001).
Mean hemoglobin value was 12.6 2.6g/dl. and 13% of the subjects were categorized as iron deficiency anemia. Mean hematocrit value was 36.8±9.7% and. 19% of the subjects was below the borderline of anemia. The mean MCHC was 35.1±.5.8% and 32% ,was below the borderline of anemia.
3. Nutrient intake
Carbohydrates provided 74.2% of the total energy input, whereas protein and fat accounted for 10.2, 11.5% and 8.4.15.6% respectively, showing higher dependence on carbohydrates. The energy intake of children, except 1 year, was 70.6% of the recommended allowance, -and the mean protein intake only met 44--60.2% of the recommended allowance.. The mean intake of animal protein to a total protein was 27.4%. Low intake of calcium, iron and vitamins, except thiamin, were also found.
As many as 22.5% of the children had active or sequestered forms of angular stomatitis, reflecting inadequate intake of foods. This was more often found among 6-year old children.
The most significant correlation was found between energy intake and hematological values..
4. Mother´s nutrition knowledge
The- mean nutrition knowledge score from 15 basic questions about food and nutrition was graded as low as 63.9/100. There were significant correlations between maternal educational, levels and hemoglobin value (p<0.001), or hematocrit (p<0.01´).. The higher the maternal educational level and nutrition knowledge, the lower incidence of anemia was observed.
5. Family planning variable there were significant correlations among maternal, family planning variables and some of the nutritional and anthropometric measurements. The study revealed that the mother´s educational level and nutrition knowledge score are more crucial factors than the family planning variables on effective food intakes of children.
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