Socio-economic Predisposing Factors of Malnutrition among School Going Children in Bareilly District of North India: A Cross-sectional Study

Anuj  Singh; Ashish Kumar  Sharma; Amit  Kumar; Ankit  Singh; Ankit  Singh; Swati  Khan; Neha Singh  Chauhan

doi:10.18502/jsbch.v6i1.9516

Anuj Singh Department of Community Medicine, United Institute of Medical Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Ashish Kumar Sharma Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Amit Kumar Department of Community Medicine, United Institute of Medical Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Ankit Singh Department of Community Medicine, United Institute of Medical Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Ankit Singh Department of Community Medicine, United Institute of Medical Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Swati Khan Department of Community Medicine, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Neha Singh Chauhan Department of Ophthalmology, United Institute of Medical Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jsbch.v6i1.9516

Keywords: Malnutrition, School Children, Overweight, Underweight, Socio-economic Factors, Body Mass Index (BMI).

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition remains the ever challenging, public health concern irrespective of age and economic status. Although nutrition is essential irrespective of age but it has peerless role in the school days. The present study was conducted to assess the socio-economic predisposing factors of malnutrition among school children in the Bareilly district of North India.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Bareilly district of North India. A total of 465 school children were examined for nutritional status and socio-economic factors responsible for malnutrition. Applying multi-stage random sampling technique and pretested, pre-validated schedule was used for data collection which was compiled and analysed with Epi-Info software version 7.

Results: The study revealed 40% prevalence of malnutrition among school children. Socio- demographic factors such as gender, caste, type of family and residence were found statistically significant different with nutritional status of child (p<0.05). However, socio economic factors such as parental education, employment and socio economic conditions were discovered inversely related with malnutrition (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The study indicates the necessity to accelerate the government’s coping strategies to win over malnutrition in especially in underserved population of country.