Publication:

A study of factors influencing nutritional status of under five children in a tertiary teaching hospital

Background Nutrition is a core pillar of human development, influences growth and development before as well as after birth, around 90% of the world undernourished children live in Asia and Africa. In India among under-five children 43% are underweight and 20% have wasting due to acute under-nutrition. The study was conducted to assess socio demographic characteristics of the family and to assess nutritional status of children attending under five clinics.

Methods Retrospective record based data was obtained from the register of under-five clinic, MIMS, Mandya from the mothers who attended under five clinics from September 2012 - August 2013 (1 year).

Results A total of 8506 children attended under-five clinic in the study period. 68.0% of mothers were in the 20-25 years age group. 82% of mothers had education above secondary school level, while 6.2% of mothers are illiterate. Majority of the families (88.4%) belongs to lower socio economic class and 67.9% were living in joint family. Malnutrition in the form of overweight and underweight has been observed in 2517 (74.0%) children, who were class IV SES, followed by 640 (18.8%) in class V.

Conclusions Majority of the children attending under five clinics belongs to joint family and low socio economic status. A significant of them were malnourished have been observed in lower socio economic people.