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Prevalence of undernutrition among Kora-Mudi children aged 2–13 years in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

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Abstract

Background

Nutritional status of tribal children in West Bengal has not been investigated adequately. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting in Kora-Mudi children of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India.

Methods

A cross sectional study was undertaken in two villages of the Paschim Medinipur District. Of 119 children aged 2–13 years, 59 boys and 60 girls were studied. Height and weight measurements were made by standard techniques. Children were considered as underweight, stunting and wasting if their weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height Z-scores <−2.0 SD of the National Center for Health Statistics reference standards.

Results

The overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 52.9%, 49.6% and 22.7%, respectively. About 16.0%, 24.4% and 1.7% of children were found to be severely underweight, stunted and wasted. The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was higher in preschool children than in school going children. The chance of underweight, stunting and wasting was 1.80, 1.10 and 1.58 times greater in preschool children than in school going children. Moreover, the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was higher in boys than in girls. The boys had 1.45, 1.66 and 2.02 times greater risk to be underweight, stunted and wasted. According to the WHO classification of severity in malnutrition, the overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was as high as ≥30%, ≥40 and ≥15%.

Conclusions

The nutritional status of Kora-Mudi children in West Bengal is critical. Appropriate measures should be taken by the respective authorities to improve childhood health and nutritional status.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India

    Samiran Bisai

  2. Department of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, 721102, West Bengal, India

    Samiran Bisai

  3. Society for Applied Studies, Salt Lake, Kolkata, 700 064, West Bengal, India

    Samiran Bisai

  4. Department of Bio-Medical Laboratory Science & Management, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, 721102, West Bengal, India

    Chhanda Mallick

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Correspondence to Samiran Bisai.

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Bisai, S., Mallick, C. Prevalence of undernutrition among Kora-Mudi children aged 2–13 years in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India. World J Pediatr 7, 31–36 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-010-0239-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-010-0239-3

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