Under-nutrition among slum children aged 3-6 years in Midnapore town, India.

Abstract

To evaluate the prevalence of under-nutrition among slum children aged 3-6 years of Midnapore, West Bengal, India. A total of 113 children were studied. Standard anthropometric techniques were utilized. The NCHS reference standards were used to determine undernutrition. The overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting were 63.7%, 47.8 % and 32.7%, respectively. According to the WHO classification of severity of malnutrition, the overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting were very high ("e 30 %, "e 40.0 % and "e 15%). The rates of wasting were higher than those reported from other national and international studies on slum children. The children were under severe nutritional stress. Urgent nutritional intervention programs are required.