Nutritional Status of Children among the Families of Women Agricultural Labourers

A study was conducted on 160 agricultural labourer households of Odisha having at least one child in the age group of 1-5 years. The nutritional status of children aged 1-5 years was evaluated and was classified into different grades of malnutrition based on weight for age, height for age and weight for height. From the study, it was revealed that the mean weight and height of both male and female children of all groups was much less than the NCHS. It was also found that 77.5 per cent, 78.13 per cent and 71.25 per cent were malnourished on the basis of weight for age, height-for-age and weight-for-height, respectively with highest percentage in the age group of 4-5 years. Majority of the malnourished children belonged to Grade II group. Only 15.63 per cent were totally normal basing on all three parameters i.e. weight/age, height/age and weight/ height. Majority 68.13 per cent among malnourished children were in the present and past underfed group (low wt/age, low ht/ age and low wt/ ht).