A Survey of the Nutritional Status of Children Aged Between 12 to 23 Months Registered at Anganwaadi Centres in Pune District, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The extent of malnutrition in India is high where 43% children are underweight. Undernutrition in the critical age has adverse consequences throughout adulthood. There are few studies that report the nutritional status of the children between 12 to 23 months. The objective of the study was to assess the nutritional status and risk factors of undernutrition among children aged 12 to 23 months registered at anganwaadi centres in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. A random sample of 360 children from 35 Anganwaadi centres was selected from a total of 147 anganwaadi centres of Pune District. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric techniques and categorised using the WHO Z-score standards. Data on the feeding practices and mothers’ knowledge on malnutrition were collected using a pretested questionnaire. The overall prevalence of stunting was 45.6 %( n=164), underweight was 33.6 %( n=121) and wasting was 28.6% (n=103). Risk factors of undernutrion were identified and given in table: 2, 3 and 4.Prevalence of undernutrition among children was significantly high in12 to23 month’s age group. Monthly family income, poor education and knowledge of mothers, poor ‘Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices” (IYCF) were found to be significantly associated with undernutrition among children in this age group. To address the problem of malnutrition and restrain its consequences interventions need to cater to the specific growth requirements of those children in this critical age group. A dedicated programme on nutrition and child care during the first two years of life is urgently required.