Prevalence of protein energy malnutrition among children of age group 1-5 years in Kanchipuram

Dr. D.L.K. Anusha; Dr. Dhamodhar Reddy.T; Dr. Muhammed Shahid K; Dr. Nivedhidha. S.C.

Volume : VIII, Issue : X, October - 2019

Prevalence of protein energy malnutrition among children of age group 1-5 years in Kanchipuram

Dr. D. L. K. Anusha, Dr. Dhamodhar Reddy. T, Dr. Muhammed Shahid K, Dr. Nivedhidha. S. C.

Abstract :

PEM is undoubtedly the most serious nutritional problem affecting several thousand young children in India. The present study was a cross–sectional study of prevalence of protein energy malnutrition in Kanchipuram among 380 children of age group 1–5 years. Prevalence rates vary among different continents of the world. Ethical clearance was obtained. The instrument used was a predesigned and pretested semi–structured questionnaire. Physical measurements such as height and weight measured using standard methods. The prevalence of protein energy malnutrition is 33.7% (128). Protein energy malnutrition was found among 14.5% of the urban children and 19.2% of the rural children in this study. This study was found to be statistically insignificant (p value 0.2216). The service delivery component of RCH and other child health programs needs to be strengthened further, both in rural and also in urban areas, to improve nutritional status of under–five children.