Prevalence of undernutrition among 1-5 year children in urban Ballari- A cross-sectional study

Abstract

The growth and development of child is a strong reflection of country's growth and development. Being most vulnerable segment of the society the preschoolers are at greatest risk of malnutrition for it is their growing period that demands high intake of protein and calories. To find out the prevalence of undernutrition among 1-5 years children in Urban Ballari. This is a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2018 to June 2018 which included 700 children in the age group of 1-5 years residing in Ballari urban. Of total 700 study subjects, boys constituted 49.7% and girls 50.3%. The overall prevalence of under nutrition among the study subjects based on weight for age parameter was found to be 40.6%. (Normal- 59.4%, Moderate under nutrition- 22%, Severe under nutrition - 18.6%). Prevalence of stunting and wasting was 43.2% and 23.9% respectively. The result of the study is indicative of high prevalence of undernutrition among children in the age group of 1-5 years in Ballari City.