A Hospital Based Bivariate Analysis of Nutritional Status and its Determinants among the Children Aged 2 to 12 Years in an Indian Island

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 2-12 years of age using World Health Organisation(WHO) Z score for Weight for age (WFA)/Body Mass Index (BMI) for age (for children above 108 months), and to evaluate association between underweight and various socio-demographic factors.
A total of 444 children aged 2-12 years (24-144 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 Overall prevalence of under nutrition among the children 24-144 months of age was 30.8%. Among children in the age groups of 24-59 months, 60-119 months and 120-144 months, the prevalence of underweight/thinness was 27.9%, 31.3% and 26.4%, respectively. Severe underweight/thinness in the same age groups was 7.1%, 10.7%, and 11.3%, 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 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.