A community-based cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of undernutrition in 0 to 6 years anganwadi children of Panvel block, Raigad district, Maharashtra

Background: An impaired nutritional status in preschool children significantly Impacts their overall childhood development. Early detection of undernutrition at an early age is crucial for early intervention. Objectives of the study were to conduct nutritional status assessments of preschool children, to detect the overall prevalence and various patterns of undernutrition in these children by applying a composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) indicator.Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2019 to March 2020. The sample size of 8542 was computed by formula n=4pq/L2, by randomly selecting 132 Anganwadi. Nutritional status assessment of the children was done by anthropometrics and clinical examinations. Conventional indices (underweight, stunting, and wasting) and CIAF classification were used to assess. The prevalence of undernutrition. Statistical analysis was done by Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 27 and statistical tests were applied.Results: 50.6% of children were detected for “anthropometric failure” by the CIAF method. The conventional indices showed the prevalence of underweight at 32.9%, stunting at 35.7%, and wasting at 16.4%.  The 13 to 25-month age group was more significantly affected (57%) than its counterparts for undernutrition. Statistically, no significant difference was found between genders across all age groups for undernutrition (χ2=9.8, χtab=11.08). Chronic undernutrition seemed highly prevalent than acute one in preschool children.Conclusions: A more comprehensive policy program is needed to identify and cover single as well as multiple anthropometrical failure children. Special attention is needed towards the 13 to 25 months old children.