Abstract

Objective: To investigate the nutritional status and caloric consumption of school going children having anemic feature and effect of heavy metal (Lead) in low status family using the contaminated water.
Methodology: The study has been conducted among the school going children of Hyderabad, Pakistan. The nutritional status of school children was examined through measuring their caloric input against recommended daily allowance (RDA) by Harris-Benedict Equation for Basal Energy Expenditure. The toxic metal was analyzed on Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer.
Results: Students were found mildly under nourished their caloric input was low as recommended due to low intake of protein in their diet, which may be their family’s economic status. Girls had less caloric input against their requirements as compared to boys, although controls were found to have good caloric input against their requirements. High levels of lead were found according to the WHO standards in students who used ground water for drinking purpose.
Conclusion: Both girls and boys had low nutritional intake. Students who used ground water for drinking purpose had higher lead concentrations that shows heavy metal contamination through ground water.

Key words: Contaminated water, nutritional status, RDA, Calories, Lead