Prevalence of Malnutrition using Anthropometric Index among the Sabar Tribal Preschool Children of Purulia District of West Bengal, India

Latu L. Mahata, Sadaruddin Biswas* and Samiran Bisai

Prevalence of Malnutrition using Anthropometric Index among the Sabar Tribal Preschool Children of Purulia District of West Bengal, India.
It is well-established that tribal preschool children are still suffering from different types of malnutrition. Although data on the prevalence of malnutrition in the form of thinness among preschool children, particularly tribal preschool children in India, is limited.

The present cross-sectional study was carried out at seven different villages in the three Sabar concentrated blocks of the Purulia district. A total of 104 (49 boys and 55 girls) Sabar preschool children (aged 2-5-years) were investigated. Preschool children from seven Sabar-dominated villages were investigated. The prevalence of malnutrition in the form of thinness was assessed using an age- and sex-specific international BMI cut-off.

There were significant age variations in mean weight and height observed in both sexes (p<0.001). The overall prevalence of malnutrition among Sabar preschool children was 80.77%. Boys were more malnourished (low BMI-for-age) than girls (76.4%). Overall, about 37.5% of preschool children were severely malnourished.

The results revealed that their nutritional status was not satisfactory. Therefore, an appropriate nutritional intervention programme should be taken to reduce the burden of malnutrition among the Sabar preschool children of Purulia district, West Bengal, India.

Malnutrition is a major public health problem among preschool children, specifically tribal preschool children in India. Generally, the nutritional status of an individual depends on their food consumption. Human needs a wide range of nutrients to lead a healthy and active life, and these are derived through the diet.

Anthropol Open J. 2023; 6(1): 1-7. doi: 10.17140/ANTPOJ-6-132

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