A Hospital Based Bivariate Analysis of Nutritional Status and its Determinants among the Children Aged ۲ to ۱۲ Years in an Indian Island

Background: Malnutrition in children is a major public health problem in developing countries and is one of the common causes of mortality and morbidity in children. We aimed to determine the nutritional status of children aged ۲-۱۲ years of age using World Health Organisation(WHO) Z score for Weight for age (WFA)/Body Mass Index (BMI) for age (for children above ۱۰۸ months), and to evaluate association between underweight and various socio-demographic factors. Materials and Methods A total of ۴۴۴ children aged ۲-۱۲ years (۲۴-۱۴۴ months) were enrolled in the study. The children’s anthropometric measurements were taken using the standard operating procedures; the socio-demographic particulars were obtained using a pretested validated questionnaire, after obtaining written consent from their parents. The anthropometric data was analyzed using WHO Anthro and Anthro plus Softwares. Underweight and severe underweight was diagnosed if WFA Z score <= -۲ standard deviation [SD] and Results: Overall prevalence of under nutrition among the children ۲۴-۱۴۴ months of age was ۳۰.۸%. Among children in the age groups of ۲۴-۵۹ months, ۶۰-۱۱۹ months and ۱۲۰-۱۴۴ months, the prevalence of underweight/thinness was ۲۷.۹%, ۳۱.۳% and ۲۶.۴%, respectively. Severe underweight/thinness in the same age groups was ۷.۱%, ۱۰.۷%, and ۱۱.۳%, respectively. The socio- demographic factors significantly associated with underweight were education status of mother, occupation of father, number of siblings, type of family and religion (p<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Mild to moderate under nutrition was common among the children of the island and affects boys slightly more than girls, however, severe underweight is more prevalent in girls.

Keywords:

Children , India , Nutritional Status , Underweight