Mean Weight of School going children: A Comparison to WHO & ICMR Reference Standards in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir, India

Abstract

This study evaluates the mean weights of school-going children aged 6-10 years in the Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir, India, comparing them with WHO and ICMR reference standards. The research involved 400 children (219 boys and 181 girls) from schools across the district, with data collected through a primary survey in early 2023. The findings reveal significant deviations from both WHO and ICMR standards, particularly in older age groups. Boys consistently showed lower mean weights than reference standards across most age groups, except at age 7, with the largest deviations observed at ages 9 and 10 (up to 4.0 kg below standards). Girls demonstrated better alignment with standards in younger age groups but showed increasing gaps with age, reaching deviations of up to 4.8 kg below standards at age 10. These disparities highlight potential nutritional challenges in the region, particularly during late childhood. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions, enhanced school-based nutrition programs, and regular growth monitoring, especially in rural areas where socioeconomic factors and dietary patterns may differ from urban settings. The findings contribute to understanding regional growth patterns and inform policy recommendations for improving child health outcomes in rural India.