Publication:

A descriptive cross-sectional study to assess prevalence of malnutrition in school children 6-14 years of age in rural and urban area of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

Background Malnutrition affects the child’s physical and cognitive growth and increases the susceptibility to infections consecutively having an adverse impact on economic growth of the country indirectly therefore with 39% of the world’s malnourished living in India, we face a double jeopardy of malnutrition. The objective of this study was to determine the burden of malnutrition.

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 720 school children in the age group 6 to 14 years from urban and rural areas in Bikaner district of Rajasthan from July 2014-December 2014 with the objective to assess prevalence and types of malnutrition. The sampling method used was stratified random sampling. The study tool used was a pre-tested questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with help of SPSS17.0.

Results The prevalence of underweight and overweight (based on weight for age) was found to be 19.72% and 0.70% respectively. 9.86% of the study population was found to be stunted. Thinness and obesity (based on BMI-for-age) was seen in 22.22% and 1.95% children. Hence overall prevalence of malnutrition was found to be 24.17%.

Conclusion Around one fourth of study population is affected from malnutrition which calls for urgent and prompt action in term of Primordial and Primary prevention.