A cross-sectional study to assess the protein energy malnutrition in children between one to five years of age in a tribal area Parol, Thane district, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Nutrition in children is considered as one of the foundation not only for good health and freedom from disease, but also for normal growth and development. Nutrition has a profound and largely incalculable impact on human health. Preschool children are most vulnerable to the effect of undernutrition because of rapid growth and thus their nutritional status is considered to be sensitive indicator of community health. The objective of the study was to study prevalence of protein energy malnutrition in children between one to five years of age; socioeconomic, demographic, ecological and other health problems associated with protein energy malnutrition; immunization status; to suggest appropriate recommendations based on observation.