Nutritional status and its determinants among 0-5-year-old children in the district of Sirsa, Haryana, India

Background Researchers have hinted at the importance of balanced nutrition in infancy and childhood for physical development, cognitive function and robust immunity. Poor nutrition is known to produce several negative impacts on the physical and the mental health of the child. Assessing the actual condition of nutritional status of children pertaining to specific area often provide important insights for implementation of strategies necessary for prevention and control of under-nutrition. In this study, nutritional status and its determinants among 0-5-year-old children of Sirsa district of Haryana state were assessed.

A total of 300 children belonging to the age group 0-5 years, residing in the field practice area of Sirsa district of Haryana state, India, were included. A semi-structured questionnaire which was both pre-designed and pre-tested was used for data collection from the mothers of the children. The anthropometric measurements of the children were also taken.

The prevalence rate of under-nutrition in this study was 7%. All of these children had sub-acute malnutrition (SAM). The anthropometric measurements (weight, height, head circumference, chest circumference, and mid-arm circumference) of under-nutrition children were significantly altered when compared with normal children. Bitot’s spot (57.1%) and rachitic changes (57.1%), followed by dry conjunctiva (47.6%), pedal oedema (42.9%), and corneal ulceration were common clinical signs/symptoms observed in SAM children. It was noted that a total of 46 (15.3%) children had moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Upon ophthalmic examination, these children presented with dry conjunctiva.

The prevalence of under-nutrition in the form of sub-acute malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition was 7% and 15.3% respectively. Under-nutrition was more common in girl child compared to male child. This study highlights the importance of conduction of regular screening program for early identification of extent and severity of under-nutrition in young children. Early identification of under-nutrition will facilitate the timely initiation of interventions necessary for normal growth and development of the child. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement This study was funded by researcher. Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of Chitkara University, Rajpura-140401, Punjab, India. The Ethical committee approved the study and gave permission. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Footnotes Email: charu.khosla{at}chitkara.edu.in Email: dranup.kharde{at}gmail.com Email: aryasusmita{at}gmail.com Data Availability All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors.