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Volume 5 Issue 9 (September, 2017)

Original Articles

Nutritional Status of Children under 5 Years of age in Devdaha Municipality, Nepal- A Cross-Sectional Study
Rakchhya Gautam, Rishi Kant Aryal

Introduction: Nutrition status of children under 5 years of age is a burning issue in world today. Malnutrition is major cause of childhood mortality and morbidity which can be prevented. Aims and objectives: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in children under 5 years of age in Devdaha Municipality, Rupandehi, Nepal and to recommend appropriate remedial measures. Methods and materials: Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 198 children under the age of 5 years. Anthropometric measurements weight and Length/height was recorded and WHO anthro software was used to calculate data. Result: The prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting was 27%, 17% and 29% respectively. In the study 18% of children had low weight for age and 8% had very low weight for age. 11% of children had low weight for height and 6% very low weight for height. Similarly 19 % had low height for age and 10% had very low height for age. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight are more in children between 3-4years of age. Conclusion: Prevalence of underweight and stunting is high which reflects both acute and chronic malnutrition in this municipality. It is also seen that malnutrition is more prevalent in 3-4 years age which is starting age for schooling. So the measures like promotion of female education, correct method of feeding and food preparation, knowledge about hygiene and sanitation should be provided to people of Devdaha Municipality.
Key words: Anthropometry, malnutrition.

Corresponding author: Dr. Rakchhya Gautam, Lecturer, Devdaha Medical College and Research Institute, Nepal

This article may be cited as: Gautam R, Aryal RK. Nutritional Status of Children under 5 Years of age in  Devdaha  Municipality, Nepal- A Cross-Sectional Study. J Adv Med Dent Scie Res 2017;5(9):56-59.

 
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