Publication:

Prevalence and determinants of malnutrition in children under five in rural Bareilly, India

Background Malnutrition remains a significant public health concern, especially in low-resource settings. This cross-sectional study investigates the prevalence and socio-demographic determinants of malnutrition among children under five years of age in Rural areas of Bareilly district. To assess the prevalence of malnutrition and identify its socio-demographic determinants among under five children in rural Bareilly, using WHO anthropometric indicators.

Methods The study was conducted in rural areas of Bareilly under the Family Adoption Program initiated by Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital. Data was collected over a six-month period from rural areas of Bareilly.

Results Based on WHO Z-scores, the prevalence of wasting, underweight and stunting was 12.3%, 26% and 36.6%, respectively. These findings are consistent with the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) and underscore the urgent need for multi-sectoral interventions to combat both acute and chronic forms of malnutrition in vulnerable populations.

Conclusions The results align with national and regional trends, reinforcing the need for comprehensive, community-based strategies to address childhood malnutrition.