Sociodemographic correlates of nutritional status of under-five children

Background: Malnutrition is one of the most important health problems throughout the world, particularly in developing countries, and has undesirable effects on the mental and physical health of children. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to find out the prevalence of malnutrition in children under 5 years of age (under-five children) and epidemiological determinants associated with it. Materials and Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on under-five children in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India belonging to the field practice area of the Rural Health and Training Centre of the Department of Community Medicine of Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, applying multistage simple random sampling methodology. Data were collected through measuring weight and height, structural schedules, anthropometric nutritional indicators, and face-to-face interviews with mothers. Malnutrition was measured on the basis of the indices underweight, wasting, and stunting. The obtained data were entered and analyzed using SPSS. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied as the test of significance. Results: The prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting was 33.11%, 46.88%, and 10.44%, respectively. The total prevalence of malnutrition was 57.11%. Malnutrition was found to be significantly associated with age (0-12 months and 25-36 months), sex, socioeconomic status, and maternal education. Conclusion: Malnutrition was found to be more in children aged less than 1 year and in those aged 2-3 years. It was more common in female children, in children of low socioeconomic status, in children from nuclear families, and among those whose mothers were illiterate.