Nutritional status of scheduled caste pre-school children.

In the present study anthropometric measurements showed that all the children of scheduled caste families under investigation were under weight and suffered from protein energy malnutrition, night blindness, angular stomatitis, enlargement of liver, anaemia, spongy bleeding gum and a few cases of bow legs, polio and keratomalacia. The haemoglobin level was below World Health Organisation (WHO) standard. Their intakes of protective foods and nutrients such as energy, calcium and iron were less than respective recommended dietary allowances (RDA). Socio-economic environment is responsible for poor nutritional status ofscheduled caste pre-school children.