Trends in the Prevalence of Undernutrition, Nutrient & Food Intake and Predictors of Undernutrition among under Five Year Tribal Children in India

印度部落5歲以下孩童之營養缺乏盛行率和營養素及食物攝取趨勢以及營養不良預測因子

Indrapal Ishwarji Meshram ； Nimmathota Arlappa ； Nagalla Balakrishna ； Kodavanti Mallikharjuna Rao ； Avula Laxmaiah ； Ginnela Nag Veera Brahmam

《Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition》 21卷4期 (2012/12) Pp. 568-576

https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.2012.21.4.12

摘要

Undernutrition among children under five year is a significant public health problem in India. The present study was carried out to assess trends in nutritional status, nutrient and food intake among children under five year over two time periods. It was a community-based cross-sectional study, carried out in tribal areas of India. A total of 14,587 children, 0-5 years old were covered for nutritional assessment in terms of underweight, stunting and wasting. A 24 hour diet survey was carried out in a sub-sample of households surveyed. Wealth index was constructed using principle component analysis. The prevalence of underweight and stunting had declined significantly over the periods (49% vs 57%, 51% vs 58%, respectively), while the prevalence of wasting remained similar (22% vs 23%). There was marginal decrease in the intake of foods and nutrients over the periods, and was below recommended levels. Stepwise regression showed that the risk of underweight and stunting was significantly (p＜0.01) higher among children of illiterate mothers and children from lowest and middle households wealth index. Morbidities during preceding fortnight had 1.3 times higher risk of underweight and wasting. In conclusion, undernutrition is a significant health problem among tribal children and is associated with literacy status of mothers, household wealth index and morbidities. Therefore implementation of appropriate nutritional intervention strategies and improvement in households food security through public distribution systems, food intakes, socio-economic condition, literacy of parents and personal hygiene may help in improving the nutritional status of tribal children.

關鍵字

體重過輕 ； 矮小 ； 消瘦 ； 家戶財富指標 ； 營養素攝取

並列摘要

Undernutrition among children under five year is a significant public health problem in India. The present study was carried out to assess trends in nutritional status, nutrient and food intake among children under five year over two time periods. It was a community-based cross-sectional study, carried out in tribal areas of India. A total of 14,587 children, 0-5 years old were covered for nutritional assessment in terms of underweight, stunting and wasting. A 24 hour diet survey was carried out in a sub-sample of households surveyed. Wealth index was constructed using principle component analysis. The prevalence of underweight and stunting had declined significantly over the periods (49% vs 57%, 51% vs 58%, respectively), while the prevalence of wasting remained similar (22% vs 23%). There was marginal decrease in the intake of foods and nutrients over the periods, and was below recommended levels. Stepwise regression showed that the risk of underweight and stunting was significantly (p＜0.01) higher among children of illiterate mothers and children from lowest and middle households wealth index. Morbidities during preceding fortnight had 1.3 times higher risk of underweight and wasting. In conclusion, undernutrition is a significant health problem among tribal children and is associated with literacy status of mothers, household wealth index and morbidities. Therefore implementation of appropriate nutritional intervention strategies and improvement in households food security through public distribution systems, food intakes, socio-economic condition, literacy of parents and personal hygiene may help in improving the nutritional status of tribal children.

並列關鍵字

underweight ； stunting ； wasting ； Households wealth index ； nutrient intakes