Anthropometric Measurements of Under 5 Years Children to Assess Their Nutrition Status and Growth

Shubham Verma, Rajeev Vinayak — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The problem of malnutrition and weakness in children under 5 years of age in India is very abundant. Poverty and lack of education regarding nutrition and wellbeing are cited as the main causes of this problem. The study aims to raise awareness about this issue and highlights the importance of anthropometric measurements (such as height, weight, and body mass index) in identifying children at risk of malnutrition. Accurate anthropometric data is essential in assessing the effectiveness of health and nutrition interventions and guiding future planning. The study also acknowledges the role of cultural norms in dietary practices, which can vary greatly in multicultural societies. Subjects and Methods: After obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee, a prospective study was conducted in the department of Pediatrics, MMMC&H Solan. Weight, Length and head circumference was done as per World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and 2017-2018 Anthropometry manuals by National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the National Centre for Health Statistics. Results: maximum participants (23.8%) belonged to 12–23 months of age whether the participant was girl (30.8%) or boy (35.6%). The wasting (severe and moderate) was observed among 22.1% of participants; while 30.3% participants were stunted (severe and moderate), 25.8% were underweight (severe and moderate). The proportion of wasting was higher among boys, whereas the proportion of stunting and underweight was higher among girls. Conclusion: Our study sheds light on the prevailing issues of malnutrition and weakness among children under 5 years in India, specifically in the Solan region. Poverty and lack of nutritional education emerge as primary contributors to this problem. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, and body mass index, play a pivotal role in identifying children at risk of malnutrition. Keywords: malnutrition, anthropometric measurements, children

Asian Journal of Clinical Pediatrics and Neonatology

Anthropometric Measurements of Under 5 Years Children to Assess Their Nutrition Status and Growth