Body mass index and consumption pattern of different food products in thalassemia and healthy children of the Sargodha district of Pakistan

Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the health status of thalassemia and healthy children, to measure the adiposity in the body and eating habits of children and to check the influence of diet on the body using 24 hour dietary recalls technique. The nutritional status of the children was determined by anthropometric measurements and compared by calculating body weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and by conducting 24 hours recall method. In this study, the cumulative comparison (both boys & girls) of body mass index (BMI) between thalassemia and healthy children was highly significant (P0.001) as well as individually by gender (boys and girls) was also highly significant (P0.001). It was concluded from the consumption pattern of different food products in thalassemia and healthy children the parents or their caretakers must take positive steps to improve the quality of life of thalassemia children. Also, parents or their caretakers of thalassemia children need guidance in selecting food, clothing and education for their future. Finally, the parents or caretakers must watch their child's growth and development critically