A Hospital Based Bivariate Analysis of Nutritional Status and its Determinants among the Children Aged 2 to 12 Years in an Indian Island

Background: malnutrition in children is a major public health problem in developing countries and is one of the common causes of mortality and morbidity in children. we aimed to determine the nutritional status of children aged 2-12 years of age using world health organisation (who) z score for weight for age (wfa)/body mass index (bmi) for age (for children above 108 months), and to evaluate association between underweight and various socio-demographic factors. materials and methods: a total of 444 children aged 2-12 years (24-144 months) were enrolled in the study. the children’s anthropometric measurements were taken using the standard operating procedures; the socio-demographic particulars were obtained using a pretested validated questionnaire, after obtaining written consent from their parents. the anthropometric data was analyzed using who anthro and anthro plus softwares. underweight and severe underweight was diagnosed if wfa z score <= -2 standard deviation [sd] and <-3 sd (for children from 108 months to 144 months, thinness and severe thinness if bmi for age z score <=-2 sd and <-3 sd). results: overall prevalence of under nutrition among the children 24-144 months of age was 30.8%. among children in the age groups of 24-59 months, 60-119 months and 120-144 months, the prevalence of underweight/thinness was 27.9%, 31.3% and 26.4%, respectively. severe underweight/thinness in the same age groups was 7.1%, 10.7%, and 11.3%, respectively. the socio- demographic factors significantly associated with underweight were education status of mother, occupation of father, number of siblings, type of family and religion (p<0.05). conclusion: mild to moderate under nutrition was common among the children of the island and affects boys slightly more than girls, however, severe underweight is more prevalent in girls.