ASSESSMENT OF BODY COMPOSITION AND DIETARY INTAKE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL BOYS IN MAKKAHAREA.

Background:- Nutritional adequacy might pose a problem on normal child growth. The result of unsatisfactory food intake or severe malnutrition could be seen as stunting, wasting, undernourishment and obesity. Objectives:- The purpose of this research was to assess body composition and dietary intake for primary school boys in Makkah province. Methods:- The study was a cross-sectional design conducted on 100 convenience sample in primary schools boys aged between 6 - 12 years in Makkah region. Dietary assessment was performed using 24-hr recall. Height and weight were measured by anthropometric methods and the outcomes were BMI z-scores. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance approach. Results:-The mean body fat% for boys in age group?8 yearswas significantly higher compared with boys in age group>8 years. While, boys in age group>8 years had significantly higher lean, dry lean and body fluid compared boys in another group. The occurrence of stunting was 7.5% and 16.7% in both age groups ?8 and >8 resp. There was a highly significant positive correlation (P<0.01) between height and each of age, waist, hip, and lean body weight. Daily intake of calories intake was pronouncedly lower thanadequate intake (AI) for both groups. Conclusions:- Differences were found in body composition of boys. Obesity and stunting are prevalent and undernutrition, especially severe thinness, was uncommon in this target group. Calories and fiber intake were lower thanAI. Therefore, nutrition education is recommended as one of the long–term approaches for improving nutrition and health status for boys.