Long-term nutritional effects of ICDS

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Public Health Interventions
• Child Development Services

Background:

• Assessing nutritional status in children is crucial for public health.
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) aim to provide essential services to children.
• Understanding the factors influencing malnutrition in school-aged children is vital for policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the nutritional status of children aged 7-13 years.
• To examine the relationship between the utilization of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and nutritional status.
• To identify risk factors for malnutrition in this age group.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted in the ICDS project, Nand Nagri, East Delhi.
• 1243 children (636 boys, 607 girls) aged 7-13 years were included.
• Data collected through interviews, anthropometric, and clinical examinations; Anganwadi attendance score calculated.

Main Results:

• Most children (59.1%) were non-beneficiaries of ICDS.
• Univariate analysis showed significant associations between malnutrition and Anganwadi attendance score, age, sex, and father's education.
• Multiple logistic regression identified higher age and being female as significant risk factors for malnutrition; Anganwadi attendance score was not significant for this age group.

Conclusions:

• Older age and female sex are significant risk factors for malnutrition in children aged 7-13.
• Continued nutritional support is needed for girls and older children.
• Further research is required to inform effective nutritional policies for children.