A study to assess undernutrition and its sociodemographic correlates in under-five children in urban and rural areas of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Abstract

Context: Nutrition is one of the most important factors that affect a child's health. It plays a vital role in the prevention and control of disease morbidity and mortality. It is a major public health problem in a developing country like India. Aims: To assess undernutrition in under-five children and various sociodemographic factors affecting it. Settings and Design: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among under-five children of rural and urban Rishikesh. A total sample size of 400 under-five children was taken. Multistage sampling was done to select the areas and systematic random sampling was done for selection of households. Subject and Methods: A predesigned, pretested, and semistructured questionnaire was used to collect information on the sociodemographic characteristics and status of undernutrition in study participants. Statistical Analysis Used: Data was entered into excel sheets and analyzed using SPSS version 23 utilizing appropriate statistical methods. Results: The prevalence of underweight was 37.3%, stunting 43.3% and wasting 24.5%. Underweight (40.5% v/s 35.0%), stunting (46.5% v/s 40.0%), and wasting (27.0% v/s 22.0%) was more prevalent in urban areas as compared to rural areas. Sociodemographic factors such as religion, caste, parental education, father's occupation, and family size emerged as significant predictors of under nutrition. Conclusion: Undernutrition in under-five children was quite high. Since childhood malnutrition is multifactorial, there is no single cause big enough to blame but a multifaceted approach is required to combat malnutrition.

Determinants of nutritional status among under-five children receiving Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in India

“…Malnutrition was the principal risk factor for death in under-five children in every state of India in 2017, accounting for 68% of the total under-five deaths (Swaminathan et al, 2019). Earlier studies found various socioeconomic and demographic factors such as age and gender of the child (Bharati et al, 2008), maternal education (Meshram et al, 2012; Mukherjee et al, 2008; Sen et al, 2011) and BMI (Corsi et al, 2016), family size (Rehan et al, 2020; Swami et al, 2000), household wealth status (Corsi et al, 2016; Kanjilal et al, 2010; Meshram et al, 2012), housing condition (Som et al, 2007), religion & caste (Rehan et al, 2020), place of residence and region (Bharati et al, 2008), and state-level dietary diversity (Borkotoky et al, 2018) affecting the nutritional status of under-five children in the country.…”

Early Childhood Malnourishment and its Associated Factors - Uttarakhand

“…The studies on prevalence of malnutrition in underfive children was evaluated and results found were: in Rishikesh underweight, stunting and wasting was 37.3%, 43.3% and 24.5% respectively [11] , in Haridwar 44.82% stunted and 51.72% were underweight [12] , in Kashipur it was found that about 27.27% and 54.55% children in the age group of (0-5) years were found malnourished in mild to moderate category [13] and in Dehradun it was found that 200 (52.5%) children having exclusively breast fed were undernourished [14] .…”

“…illiterate parents had more percentage of malnourished children. [11,12,18] Occupation of parents [11,17,19] and size of family [19] .…”

“…Underweight/low birth weight and prematurely born children were found to be more malnourished [11,12] ,exclusive breast feeding, timely complementary feeding [14] Anemia [12,17] and birth order were other significant factors leading to malnourishment in children. [12] Birth interval between children less than 2 years, not immunized children, inadequate dietary intake and monotonous diet, worm infestations, repeated illness like diarrhea, fever and cough and cold also found to be one of the significant factors leading to malnourished children [11,17] .…”

Prevalence of Stunting and its Biosocial Determinants among Young Children Enrolled at Urban Anganwadi Centers in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

“…2020). [ 9 ] 43.3% in Dehradun, 59% in Kolkata (Scopazzini M. et al . 2021),[ 10 ] This indicates inequalities in the reduction of stunting in different parts of the country.…”