Prevalence of Protein Energy Malnutrition Among Under-Five Children Belonging to Rural Areas of Ambala, Haryana, India

Abstract

Objective: A study to assess the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) among under-five children with various sociodemographic variables which affect the nutritional status among under-five children in selected rural areas of Ambala, Haryana, India.

Study Design and Setting: House to house visits by cross-sectional study covering 300 under-five children in rural areas of Ambala, Haryana, India. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and inferential analysis of nonprobability consecutive sampling.

Result: According to the Gomez classification, 44.43% had good nutritional status with the proportion of first, second and third degree malnutrition was 39.34%, 15.66% and 0.66%, respectively. A significant association of PEM was determined by the age of the children.

Conclusion: Need to provide health education regarding antenatal diet, the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, importance of immunization among under-five children and development of the integrated child development scheme at the school level.

Keywords: prevalence, malnutrition, protein energy malnutrition (PEM), under-five children, Gomez classification

Cite this Article

Kumari P. Prevalence of Protein Energy Malnutrition Among Under-Five Children Belonging to Rural Areas of Ambala, Haryana, India. Research & Reviews: Journal of Medicine. 2017; 7(3): 14–20p.