Nutritional status of children and its association with parental smoking in Uttar Pradesh

Background: Exposure to passive smoke due to smoking affects foetus and children. Previous studies have linked this exposure to an increased risk of malnutrition, infant death, respiratory illness and other disorders among infants. The investigation was made to explore the association between stunting of growth and children under 5 years of age who are underweight and are exposed to parental smoking. Exposure to second hand or passive smoke, has adverse impact during pregnancy on the mother as well as the baby. This could include cases of premature birth, birth defects or infant death and respiratory problems among the children. This study discusses the current evidence regarding the effects of parental smoking on their children's health in Uttar Pradesh. Methods: Parental smoking, and child anthropometry (undernutrition) were examined in a stratified, two-stage cluster sample of 232,920 kids under the age of 5 from National Family Health Survey (2015-16), out of which 35,766 were selected in the study from Uttar Pradesh. Prominent outcomes were that of stunting of growth and a proclivity in children towards remaining underweight. Results: Prevalence of parental smoking was found in 38.28% of households in Uttar Pradesh. Using the new World Health Organization child growth standards, prevalence of stunted growth, and underweight children was found in 39.34%, 31.15% of the households respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders parental (couple) smoking was associated with increased risk of stunting (AOR 1.17, 95%CI 1.0-1.37, p<0.05), and underweight children (AOR 1.09, 95%CI 0.93-1.28). Conclusion: In Uttar Pradesh, parental smoking is associated with birth factors nutritional status and may divert household funds from food and other necessities towards smoking habits. Parental smoking was also associated with increased risk of stunting of growth and underweight children in the children. The result also suggests that strategies to prevent passive smoke exposure in young children to minimize tobacco smoke exposure are an urgent public and child health priority