Prevalence of Malnutrition among the Children Residing in India and Ethiopia

Abstract

The present cross sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status  and the  prevalence rate of malnutrition  of 4 to 6 year-old  children of India[Nagpur] and Ethiopia[Nekemte]. Nutritional status of children was assessed in terms of dietary assessment, anthropometric measurement, biochemical assessment and clinical assessment of signs and symptoms of various nutrient deficiency diseases. Anthropometric survey of   children was carried out and compared against the NCHS/WHO reference standards to determine their nutritional status. The results of the study revealed that food and nutrient intake was inadequate and consumption of all the nutrients by  the children was comparatively less than the recommended dietary allowances. Data on anthropometry revealed that out of total children screened (N=200), mean height and weight in all the age group was significantly  less than the National Center for Health Statistics standards. According to Gomez's classification of weight for age shows that 10.5%,54%, and 35.5% fall under mild, moderate and severe malnourished, whereas  according to Waterlow classification of  weight  for height (wasting) 76.5% of the children were severe malnourished. Waterlow's classification Height for age  ( stunting) depicts 3 % of the children as normal. According to BMI-for-Age Table (WHO 2007),28% of the children were below -3SD score. 75 % and 60% of anaemia prevalence rate was observed among the children of Nagpur and Nekemte.It is concluded that poor anthropometric indices, undernutrition and iron deficiency anemia may be due to lower intake of food and nutrients than recommended.