Study to Assess Age Predilection of Malnutrition in Preschool Children

Abstract

Background : Age of children is the important demographic factor that is involved in nutritional status of children. The preschool age of children is the formative period in which growth and development of children occur. The deficiency of calories and minerals in the preschool age could result in to malnutrition in children. Participants and Methods : Present study was comprised of total 440 children which were selected through two stage random sampling method. The children between 2 years to below 5 years were the sampling units. The study was conducted at the city Fazilka in Punjab in Indi Results and Discussion : The study population was comprised of total 440 preschool which were categorized into three age groups as 2y to 3y with children (n/N=169/440) representing 38.4% in schools, other age group between above 3y to 4y with children (n/N=146/440) representing 33% in anganwadis and the age group above 4y to below 5 years with children (n/N=125/440) representing 28.4%. The stunting in children in 2-3 years age group showed 2.47 times higher chances than the stunting probability in children above 3 to below 5 years age. The Odd ratio between age groups and pallor in preschool children was (OR=0.1986/0.4728) = (0.42) at 95%C. I. of (0.260 to 0.628). Conclusion : Age of children is significantly associated with stunting, pallor and dental caries in children.