Prevalence of Malnutrition using Anthropometric Index among the Sabar Tribal Preschool Children of Purulia District of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Background It is well-established that tribal preschool children are still suffering from different types of malnutrition. Although data on the prevalence of malnutrition in the form of thinness (low body mass index (BMI) for age) among preschool children, particularly tribal preschool children in India, is limited. Objective The purpose of this study was to look at the anthropometric characteristics as well as the prevalence of malnutrition in the form of thinness using recent age and sex-specific BMI cut-off values. Methods The present cross-sectional study was carried out at seven different villages in the three Sabar concentrated blocks of the Purulia district. A total of 104 (49 boys and 55 girls) Sabar preschool children (aged 2-5-years) were investigated. Preschool children from seven Sabar-dominated villages were investigated. The prevalence of malnutrition in the form of thinness was assessed using an age- and sex-specific international BMI cut-off. Results There were significant age variations in mean weight and height observed in both sexes (p<0.001). The overall prevalence of malnutrition among Sabar preschool children was 80.77%. Boys (85.71%) were more malnourished (low BMI-for-age) than girls (76.4%). Overall, about 37.5% of preschool children were severely malnourished. Conclusion The results revealed that their nutritional status was not satisfactory. Therefore, an appropriate nutritional intervention programme should be taken to reduce the burden of malnutrition among the Sabar preschool children of Purulia district, West Bengal, India.