Abstract

“EFFECT OF MALNUTRITION ON THE COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AMONG CHILDREN POPULATION”

Tanvi Twara*, Sanskriti Upasna, Mamta Tiwari, Aruna Agrawal,G.P Dubey.

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of malnutrition on cognitive development. Out of total 900 children 441 undernourished children were selected for this study. These 441 undernourished children of 5 to 12 years of age groups of both the gender were selected from various school of Varanasi district. Various anthropometric indices have been measured to identify undernourished children. These children were classified in mild, moderate and severe malnourished category based on Gomez classification. Total protein, albumin and globulin were estimated in selected children as these are important indicator of severity of malnutrition. Long-term and short term memory and attention span were determined in undernourished children to assess the cognitive impairment. It was observed that under nutrition exert profound influence on cognitive development of children. A significant poor memory and attention span was recorded in malnourished children suggested poor scholastic performance. At biochemical level low values of serum total protein and altered albumin globulin levels were estimated and the results indicated that protein energy malnutrition play a major role in the cognitive impairment of children.

Keywords: Malnutrition, Protein Energy, Cognitive Function,