Healthful Living and Nutritional Status among School Children Aged 10–16 Years in an Urban Area of South Delhi, India, A School Based Descriptive Observational Study

Abstract Introduction: Schools are critical environments influencing the physical, cognitive and emotional development of children. Balanced nutrition and healthful living practices during childhood lay the foundation for long-term health and well-being. Methodology: A school-based descriptive observational study was conducted among 250 students aged 10–16 years in a public school in South Delhi. The manuscript was prepared in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Results: The mean age was 13.8 years (±1.7 standard deviation), the mean weight was 43.2 ± 9.8 kg, the mean height was 150.4 ± 10.2 cm and the mean body mass index was 18.9 ± 3.2 kg/m 2 . Five per cent of children were overweight, 5% were obese, 5% were thin, 2% were severely thin and stunting was found in 2% of the children. Low protein intake and regular breakfast skipping were significantly associated with unfavourable nutritional status ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Findings highlight a double burden of malnutrition and unhealthy lifestyle practices, underscoring the need for strengthened school-based interventions for a healthy transition from childhood to adulthood.