Publication:

Gender differences in nutritional status among under five children in rural areas of Bijapur district, Karnataka, India

Background Malnutrition is frequently part of a vicious cycle that includes poverty and disease Socio-economic and political changes that improve health and nutrition can break the cycle, as can specific nutrition and health interventions. Malnutrition in children is a multifactorial causation. Hence this study was conducted to assess the role of gender in the nutritional status of the under five children.

Objective To assess the nutritional status of under five children and its relationship with the gender of the child.

Methods A Cross Sectional Study was conducted across the ten Villages (2 Villages per Taluk) of Bijapur District from January 2013 to November 3013.A total of 1046 children (523 Males and 523 Females) were included in the study. WHO growth Charts was used to grade the severity of Malnutrition.

Results The overall prevalence of underweight among under five children was 43% (49.8 % male and 36.7% female). The association between underweight and gender was statistically significant. The overall prevalence of stunting among under five children was 38 % (40.1 % male and 35.9% female) and significantly associated with gender. The overall prevalence of wasting among children was 28.7 % (36.5 % male and 21.2 % female) and significantly associated with gender.

Conclusions The median height and weight for the majority of children were within the normal range of WHO 2006 growth charts. Though it is believed that male children are better and well-nourished than females, the finding in our study is contradictory which a positive sign is.