SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF THE NURSE’S PREVENTIVE ROLE IN EARLY DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF ANEMIA AND OBESITY AMONG PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Abstract
Introduction. Preschool-aged children (1–5 years) represent a critical stage for growth and health development. Anemia and obesity remain major public health challenges affecting cognitive and physical outcomes. Early detection and prevention are essential to reduce long-term health risks. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led preventive interventions in early detection and prevention of anemia and obesity among preschool children. Materials and Methods. A systematic review was conducted on 150 articles (2000–2025) from Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Forty-two studies were included in detailed analysis. Keywords used: “Anemia”, “Obesity”, “Preschool children”, “Nurse-led interventions”, “Growth monitoring”, “Prevention”. Data analysis followed PRISMA guidelines. Results and Discussion. Regular growth monitoring (GMP), nurse-led counseling, and community-based interventions significantly reduced the prevalence of anemia and obesity. The most effective strategies were comprehensive approaches integrating nutrition improvement, physical activity, and parental education. Nurses played a central role by bridging healthcare services with families. Conclusion. Evidence from 2000–2025 confirms that nurse-led interventions and growth monitoring are pivotal in preventing nutritional disorders in early childhood. Integrating family and community participation is the cornerstone of sustainable child health promotion.
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