Assessment of health status of school children and the influence of demographic and lifestyle factors

Abstract

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see The vision of any country depends on the wellbeing of its children Children constitute onethird of Indias population and form the major determinants of the future Only healthy children can help build a strong future Health of a population is influenced by the economic growth of a country In India there has been tremendous growth with increased stride made in the economic front This economic progress with India being the eleventh largest economy has enabled better technological development Development in technology has brought in the comforts of urbanization and increased standards of living The fruits of development directly reach the target group of urban children as they reap the benefits of improved standards of living and economic progress Rapid economic growth has improved the socioeconomic and health status of Indians These benefits are bestowed profoundly on children who are considered the future of the country In addition to socioeconomic and nutritional transitions behavioral transitions of children significantly contribute to rapid changes in the health status Nongkynrih et al 2004 attribute industrialization socioeconomic development urbanization and changing lifestyles in India as factors leading to the burden of noncommunicable diseases It is therefore mandatory to provide a healthy environment to enable a better progress of children newlinenewlineA healthy environment for children encompasses the physical environment home school and community as well as the social environment lifestyles and behavior aspects WHO 2011 which determine the health status of children Health of children is pivotal in helping them attain their goals of growth