Anwer I, Awan J A
Anwer clinic, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Rural Remote Health. 2003 Jan-Jun;3(1):130. Epub 2003 May 30.
Health and nutrition problems are the result of unsatisfactory food intake or severe and repeated infections, or a combination of both, and are closely linked to inadequate health services and an unhealthy environment. In Pakistan, there is a significant difference in the economic status, life style and nutrition between urban and rural populations, and between male and female children. Such differences affect the health and nutritional status of children. This study was undertaken in order to assess the nutritional and growth status of male and female school-going children aged 6-12 years from rural and urban areas in Pakistan.
Data were collected from male and female school-going children aged 6-12 years in and around Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 2042 children (853 male, 1189 female) were studied for being underweight, and for stunting and wasting. Of the males, 42.3% were from urban and 57.7% were from rural areas. Of the females, 72.7% were from urban and 27.3% were from rural areas.
A total of 36.1% children were stunted and 45.3% were underweight; 25.2% were below standard weight for height. Among the urban children, 33% were below the standard for height (stunted), and 32.3% were below the standard for weight (underweight); 32.7% were wasted. Of the rural children, 40.9% were stunted, 64.7% were underweight and 33.3% were wasted. The rural female group was the most affected and malnourished with 61.8% stunted and 84% underweight; 67.1% were wasted.
It is suggested that a comprehensive strategy be implemented in developing countries, especially Pakistan, in order to prevent infant and child under-nourishment. In addition to poverty alleviation, the underlying causes that work against food security, food safety, womens' education, safe water supply, sanitation and adequate health care must be addressed.
健康和营养问题是食物摄入不足、严重且反复感染或两者共同作用的结果，并且与卫生服务不足和不健康的环境密切相关。在巴基斯坦，城乡人口之间以及男女儿童之间在经济状况、生活方式和营养方面存在显著差异。这些差异影响着儿童的健康和营养状况。本研究旨在评估巴基斯坦城乡地区6至12岁在校男童和女童的营养与生长状况。
从巴基斯坦费萨拉巴德及其周边地区6至12岁的在校男童和女童中收集数据。总共对2042名儿童（853名男性，1189名女性）进行了体重不足、发育迟缓及消瘦情况的研究。男性中，42.3%来自城市，57.7%来自农村。女性中，72.7%来自城市，27.3%来自农村。
共有36.1%的儿童发育迟缓，45.3%体重不足；25.2%身高别体重低于标准。城市儿童中，33%身高低于标准（发育迟缓），32.3%体重低于标准（体重不足）；32.7%消瘦。农村儿童中，40.9%发育迟缓，64.7%体重不足，33.3%消瘦。农村女性群体受影响最大且营养不良，61.8%发育迟缓，84%体重不足；67.1%消瘦。
建议在发展中国家，尤其是巴基斯坦，实施一项综合战略以预防婴幼儿营养不良。除了减贫之外，还必须解决影响粮食安全、食品安全、妇女教育、安全供水、环境卫生和充足医疗保健的根本原因。
