Nutritional Status of Children Under Two Years of Age in the Devbhumi Dwarka District, Gujarat: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Improvements in the analysis of child nutrition status can be helpful in increasing the understanding of the magnitude and critical causes of undernutrition. The present study aimed to assess the nutritional status and related factors in children under two years of age in the Devbhumi Dwarka District of Gujarat, India. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for which the sample size was calculated using Open Epi and considering a 20% non-response rate. The sample size for the study was 1200, but the achieved sample size was 1301. Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant determinants of under-nutrition separately for stunting, wasting, and underweight. The prevalence of wasting, underweight, and stunting was 14%, 17%, and 32%, respectively. Prevalence of low birth weight was recorded as 14% in the district. The overall prevalence of overweight was 20% and 6% as per weight for height and weight for age criteria, respectively. The proportion of children with exclusive breastfeeding was observed to be decreasing with increasing age from birth to six months. About 70% of children were exclusively breastfed at the age of six months. Chi-square analyses revealed that parity and spacing are significant determinants of under-nutrition in children under two years in the Devbhumi Dwarka District. A multipronged and convergence approach is needed to combat the menace of child malnutrition.