Nutritional status of pupils with special needs in Coimbatore District

Nutrition is the Science/study of the appropriate diet to promote health. Nutrition of children with special needs is of paramount importance, because the foundation for lifetime health, strength and intellectual ability is laid down during childhood period. The study on Nutritional status of Pupils with special needs in Coimbatore district intends to get the details on Anthropometric measurements, Physical appearance, Diet history, Feeding disorders, Educational, social and Emotional Problems in children with special needs. The sample consisted of 120 disabled pupils from 7 special schools and 4 integrated schools in Coimbatore district. The results revealed the presence of malnourishment among pupils with special needs and are at the risk of poor nutritional status. By the percentage analysis of the combined indices of weight for age and weight for height, the visually impaired were forward than pupils with other disability. Overall results of Physical examination shows that visually impaired pupils reported to have symptoms that reflect undernourishment and is less among hearing impaired pupils. Prevalence of feeding disorders is high among mentally retarded pupils followed by loco motor disabled pupils. Hence the study insists on the necessity for the policy makers to plan nutritional policies and conduct awareness programmes for regular teachers, resource/special teachers and parents so as to enhance the nutritional and educational status of pupils with special needs, since health and educational achievement are closely related.