Determinants of Undernutrition among Under-Five Children: A Community-Based Study from Eastern India

Backgrounds: Children are prone to undernutrition which adversely affects their health status. Nutritional status of under-five children is a sensitive indicator of nutrition and child health. Hence, the present study is undertaken to assess the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among under-five children in a rural area of West Bengal, India. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1680 under-five children who were selected by 30 cluster sampling technique to assess the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition. Nutritional status was assessed by means of weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height and mid-upper arm circumference-for-age criteria based on World Health Organization’s child growth standards. Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting among under-five children was found to be 33.7%, 34.8%, and 21.6%, respectively. Moreover, 39.4% of the studied children had low mid-upper arm circumference-for-age. After adjustment for possible confounders, maternal illiteracy, lower socio-economic status, presence of anemia and any childhood morbidity were found significant determinants of undernutrition. Conclusions: Widespread prevalence of undernutrition among under-five children with anemia and childhood morbidity as important determinants highlights a need for multi-disciplinary integrated approach towards improving the child health and nutrition. Long term measures like improvement of maternal education and poverty alleviation should also be considered in future plans.