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Thinness among rural children in Bengal
Gopal Chandra Mandal1, Kaushik Bose, Samiran Bisai
1Department of Anthropology, Bangabasi College, Kolkata, India.
Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|October 6, 2009
Summary
High rates of thinness were found in children aged 2-6 years in West Bengal, India, indicating a significant nutritional concern. This study highlights the need for interventions to improve child health and nutrition within the Integrated Child Development Services scheme.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood thinness is a significant public health issue, particularly in developing regions.
- The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme aims to provide essential services to young children in India.
- Assessing nutritional status is crucial for identifying at-risk populations and implementing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of thinness in children aged 2-6 years.
- To evaluate the nutritional status of children participating in the ICDS Scheme in Bali-Gram Panchayat, Hooghly, West Bengal, India.
Main Methods:
- Height and weight measurements were collected from 2-6 year old children.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated for each child.
- International cut-off points proposed by Cole et al. were used to classify thinness.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of thinness among boys was 84.8% and among girls was 85.6%.
- Mean BMI decreased from ages 2 to 5 years in both sexes.
- A significant sex difference in mean BMI was observed at age 3 years (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- The nutritional status of children in this ICDS program is a serious concern.
- High prevalence of thinness suggests underlying issues with child nutrition in the study area.
- Further investigation and nutritional interventions are warranted to address the identified health concerns.
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