Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging
Published on: June 7, 2024
Mid-upper Arm Circumference Based Undernutrition among Bengalee Children of Chapra, West Bengal, India
Sadaruddin Biswas1, Kaushik Bose, Ashish Mukhopadhyay
1Department of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, India.
Insights
Undernutrition rates were higher in rural Indian boys than girls, with moderate and severe cases increasing with age. These findings highlight significant nutritional stress in children aged 3-5 years.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Undernutrition remains a critical public health issue in developing countries.
- Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is a key indicator for assessing nutritional status in children.
- Understanding age and sex variations in undernutrition is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine age and sex-specific variations in undernutrition among rural Indian children.
- To utilize mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) cut-off values to assess nutritional status.
- To identify prevalence of moderate and severe undernutrition in children aged 3-5 years.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in West Bengal, India.
- Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was measured using standard techniques.
- Data were collected from 2028 children (935 boys, 1093 girls) across 66 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Centers.
Main Results:
- Overall undernutrition rates were higher in boys (38.49%) than girls (32.22%).
- Boys exhibited higher rates of both moderate (36.34% vs. 31.03%) and severe (2.15% vs. 1.20%) undernutrition.
- Undernutrition rates showed an increasing trend from ages 3 to 5 years in both sexes.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights significant nutritional stress among rural children in West Bengal.
- Higher undernutrition rates in boys warrant specific attention and tailored interventions.
- Age-related increases in undernutrition underscore the need for continuous nutritional monitoring.
Objective:
To investigate age and sex variations in undernutrition using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) cut-off values among 2016 (930 boys and 1086 girls). 3-5 years old rural children of Bengalee ethnicity at 66 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Centers of Nadia District, West Bengal, India.
Methods:
In a cross sectional study in west Bengal of India, MUAC was measured using standard technique. A total of 2028 children (935 boys and 1093 girls) from 66 ICDS centers were enrolled in this study. The response rate was approximately 95%.
Findings:
Mean MUAC among boys was higher than girls at all ages except 5 years. Significant sex differences were not observed over ages. The age-combined rates of overall (moderate and severe) undernutrition among boys (38.49%) was higher than among girls (32.22%).The age-combined rates of moderate undernutrition were 36.34% and 31.03% among boys and girls, respectively. The rates of severe undernutrition were 2.15% and 1.20% among boys and girls, respectively. There were sex differences in both moderate and severe undernutrition. In general, there was an increasing trend in the rates of overall undernutrition from 3 to 5 years in both sexes.
Conclusion:
These children were experiencing severe nutritional stress.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...