Assessment of nutritional status and its association with feeding practices in children under five years

2016-12-08T03-05-39Z
Source: International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
Saba Syed, Biranchi Das.
Background: The level of child and maternal under nutrition remains unacceptable throughout the world. In India 48% of children are stunted, 20 per cent of children under five years of age suffer from wasting due to acute under nutrition. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted on 211 children from 6 months - 6 years of age. Data collection included socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements and assessment of infant and young child feeding practices. Results: A total of 211 (128 females and 83 males) children were included in the study. The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was observed to be 84 (39.81%), 99 (46.92%) and 47 (22.27%) respectively. Proportions of stunting and underweight was significantly more among children whose mothers reported inappropriate feeding practices as compared to their study counterparts. Conclusions: Under nutrition of sizeable magnitude is prevalent in children less than six years; as revealed by results of the present study. Past and current Infant and young child feeding practices were found to be significantly associated with under nutrition.


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