Prevalence of under-nutrition and its correlates among under 3 year-old children in rural areas of Andhra Pradesh, India.
BACKGROUND
Under-nutrition continues to be a major public health problem, especially among young children in India. The present study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status of under-3 year-old children and factors associated with under-nutrition.


METHODS
A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in 40 Anganwadi centre villages of Medak district of Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 805 children were selected for nutritional assessment in terms of under-weight, stunting and wasting using the new WHO growth standards. Wealth index was calculated using principal components analysis. A conceptual hierarchical framework was used as a basis for controlling for the explanatory factors in multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
Prevalence of under-weight, stunting and wasting was ~39%, 30% and 22%, respectively. The risk of under-weight and stunting was 1.80- and 3.02-times higher among 12-23 months and 3.13- and 5.50-times higher among 24-36 months children as compared to children under 12 months, respectively. The risk of under-weight was 2.74- and 1.73-times higher among children belonging to the lowest and middle household wealth index, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Under-nutrition is a significant public health problem among under 3 year-old children. The prevalence of under-nutrition was significantly higher among boys and those belonging to the lowest and middle wealth index. Thus, implementation of appropriate nutritional intervention strategies and improvement in household socio-economic condition may help in improving nutritional status.
Meshram
I I
II
Division of Community Studies, National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jamai-Osmania (PO), Tarnaka, Hyderabad, India. indrapal.m@rediffmail.com
Laxmaiah
A
A
Gal Reddy
Ch
Ch
Ravindranath
M
M
Venkaiah
K
K
Brahmam
G N V
GN
D001835:Body Weight; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors