Volume : V, Issue : IV, April - 2015

Sociodemographic Factors Influencing Stunting in Young Children in Low Socioeconomic Areas of Mumbai City

Mitravinda S. Savanur, Padmini S. Ghugre

Abstract :

 Stunting is an indicator of health and nutritional status. Reduction in stunting is imperative for economic 

growth. Understanding the factors influencing stunting is crucial in formulating intervention strategies. We 
therefore, studied the factors influencing stunting in young children aged 2 to 4 (n = 1205) years in low socioeconomic 
areas of Mumbai city. Height was measured and height–for–age Z scores were computed. Information regarding the 
parent’s education, income, child’s birth weight, birth order and exclusive eastfeeding were collected. Bivariate logistic regression was carried to determine the factors influencing stunting. In all, 24.4% were moderately and 10.8% 
were severely stunted. Father’s illiteracy, low per capita income and low birth weight significantly increased the odds 
of stunting while male gender and lower birth order reduced it. Improvement in father’s education might balance the 
intra–household power equations and have a cascading effect on the other factors that elevate the risk of stunting. 

Keywords :

Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Mitravinda S. Savanur, Padmini S. Ghugre Sociodemographic Factors Influencing Stunting in Young Children in Low Socioeconomic Areas of Mumbai City Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.5, Issue : 4 April 2015


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