Burden of Undernutrition, Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) and Perception of Caregivers about Undernutrition among Under Five Children in Rural India

Undernutrition interferes with growth and development of a child and may predispose to infection and/or chronic disease. The present study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status of under five children by the 2006 WHO growth standards; Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) which is a single aggregate indicator of undernutrition was calculated and the perception of caregivers about undernutrition and child development of a child were assessed. A cross sectional study was conducted in rural children in North India. Anthropometry was done according to the standard procedures. Overall, 938 children were included in the study. The prevalence of under nutrition was 25.3 % (22.4-28.1). CIAF showed a higher prevalence of undernutrition with 53.1% of the children suffering from anthropometric failure. The prevalence of stunting was highest in 36-47 months. There was a significant association between undernutrition and low literacy status of mother, duration of pregnancy, administration of pre lacteal feeds and time of initiation of weaning. More than half of the caregivers perceived that undernutrition was due to disease (55.5%), lack of food (35.5%) or congenital (31.6%). There was a high prevalence of undernutrition among rural under five children in North India. There was a lacuna in knowledge of caregivers about the causes of undernutrition and delayed development.