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An Epidemiological Study of Nutritional Status among Children in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Deepshikha, Amit Kumar Rai, Utkarsh Gupta and Garg G P
Number of views: 291
Background: Malnutrition is a major threat to health of children. It is influenced by several
socio demographic factors.
Objective of study: To study the prevalence of malnutrition in children visiting BalRoga OPD at
a state Ayurveda medical college in Haridwar, Uttarakhand and establish their relation with
coexisting factors like age, sex, birth weight, socio economic status, parent`s education, number
of siblings, etc.
Methodology: The epidemiological study was carried out at BalRoga (Pediatrics) OPD at
Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Gurukul campus, Haridwar. A case record format comprising
of demographic profile, parent`s education, child`s height and weight, date of birth, birth weight,
perinatal history, immunization history, hemoglobin level, family tree etc was prepared. A total
of 84 patients were surveyed using the format.
Results: A total of 39.28% of all surveyed children were stunted with a maximum incidence in
age group of less than five years. A total of 36.90% of children were underweight.
Conclusion: This study concludes that children from low socio economic status, illiterate
parents, rural background, those born with a low birth weight and having low hemoglobin levels
are more prone to be malnourished. The present epidemiological study was executed on a small
sample size. Further studies comprising of a larger population should be taken up to arrive at
more precise figures.