RESUMO
An impaired nutritional status in preschool children leaves significant impact on their overall childhood development. A community‑based, cross‑sectional study was conducted in Panvel, Maharashtra, over 15 months to assess the overall prevalence and patterns of undernutrition in preschool children using the composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF). The sample size of 8542 was obtained from randomly selected 132 Anganwadis. Conventional indices (underweight, stunting, and wasting) and CIAF classification were used to assess the prevalence of undernutrition. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 27. About 50.6% of children were detected as “anthropometric failure” by CIAF method which is higher than conventional indices for underweight (32.9%), stunting (35.7%), and wasting (16.4%). The 13–25 months’ age group was most significantly affected (57%) as per the CIAF. Undernutrition prevalence was similar for both genders across all age groups. A comprehensive policy is needed to identify and treat all anthropometrical failure children with special emphasis on 13–25 months’ age group.