Nutritional status of children under five year of age: a cross sectional study in rural area of Jhalawar, Rajasthan

Background: Adequate nutrition is essential in early childhood to ensure healthy growth and development, proper organ functions and a strong immunity. Accurate assessment of nutritional status of children is a requisite in appropriate planning and effective implementation of nutrition interventions. The objective of this study is to assess nutritional status of children under five year of age in rural area and to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with under nutrition.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among children aged six months to five years in rural area of Jhalawar, Rajasthan. Nutritional status of the children was assessed by measurement of mid upper arm circumference and information like birth order of children, birth weight and number of siblings was collected using a pre-coded and semi structured questionnaire.Results: Moderate under-nutrition was present in 16.8% children. Under-nutrition was present among 9.9% male and 24.2% female children. 38.1% children with birth weight less than 2.5 kg were under-nourished. Proportion of under-nutrition was 27.7% among children with number of siblings more than 2 while it was only 11.1% among those with 2 or less number of siblings.Conclusions: Gender, number of siblings and birth weight of children were significantly associated with nutrition status of children.