Profile of Nutritional Status of the School Aged Children Residing in Urban Slums of Agra City: A Community based Cross Sectional Study

Background: Their growth pattern is different from that of under-five children, besides today they are at risk of developing malnutrition owing to their differing lifestyle, compared to the previous generations. Evaluating the nutritional profile and growth monitoring of these children, particularly promotes continuity of care. Objectives: To find out the nutritional status profile of school aged (5 - 10 years) children by measuring their anthropometric parameters and to correlate the anthropometric parameters with WHO (2007) Child Growth Standards. To find out associated bio-social factors associated with their nutritional status. Methods and Material: A cross-sectional study was conducted including a total of 350 children aged 5 - 10 years through a door-to-door survey in the selected slum areas. Data was collected on the demographic profile and biosocial factors. The anthropometric parameters recorded (height, weight and BMI) was imported to WHO Anthro Plus software and statistical analysis was done by calculating Z score. Results: Prevalence of overall malnutrition was found to be 41.14%. Prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 21.71%, 12.86% and 20.57% respectively. Among these 0.57% of the children suffered from all the three types of malnutrition. Conclusions: As per anthropometric calculations the burden of malnutrition among 5 to 10 years of children residing in the slums of Agra city is high. Various factors like, low socio-economic status, caste, large family size, high birth order and drinking water and sanitation facilities were found to be significantly associated with malnourishment.