Health and Nutritional status of children  under 3 years of age in urban slums of  Mumbai, India

Dr. Agrawal Nisha; Dr. Acharya Shrikala; Dr. Shinde Ratnendra

Volume : III, Issue : I, January - 2014

Health and Nutritional status of children under 3 years of age in urban slums of Mumbai, India

Dr. Agrawal Nisha, Dr. Acharya Shrikala, Dr. Shinde Ratnendra

Abstract :

Background: Early years of life are the most crucial period for physical, mental, social development of a child. The maximum rate of growth and development is in first 2-3 years of life, which places high demands on nutrition. Objectives: To assess the health and nutritional status of children under 3 years of age in an urban slum in Mumbai city. Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted among 470 children under 3 years of age, selected by simple random sampling from the enrollement registers maintained in the anganwadis of an urban slum located in north-western part of Mumbai. Mothers of these children were interviewed by using a semi-structured questionnaire. The children were examined for clinical checkup & anthropometry. Results and Conclusion: 41.7% children were underweight, 52.6% were stunted and 29.1% children had wasting, with male preponderance.