Assessment of Undernutrition Among the Under-5 Children in a Slum of Kolkata: A Comparison Between z Scores and the Conventional System

Abstract

Background. This cross-sectional study was done to assess undernutrition among children under the age of 5 years in a slum of Kolkata (n = 188) and to compare these results with z score and the conventional Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) system. Methods. Data were collected by interviewing the mothers of the children, conducting anthropometric measurements, and using World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 16. The chi-square test was used, and P < .05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Overall, around 60% children were undernourished (z score < −2 SD). The conventional growth monitoring detected only underweight children, but when the z score system of WHO Child Growth Standards was used, those children were further classified as wasting and stunting. As per the IAP criteria, 104 children were undernourished and 7 were severely undernourished, but by z score, 98 children were undernourished and 29 were severely undernourished. Conclusion....