Incedence of Malnutrition among Pre-School Children in Slum Area of Berhampur and Ganjam District

Malnutrition is largely a silent and invisible emergency; affecting children in urban slum areas. It is largely the byproduct of poverty ignorance, insufficient education, lack of knowledge regarding the nutritive value of foods, inadequate sanitary environment, large family size, etc. The study was conducted by selecting only 83 families randomly having 100 children for survey. Information regarding socio-economic aspects, food habit and dietary pattern, nutrient intake and health aspects of children was collected to assess the nutritional status of the children. The incidence of acute malnutrition is definitely high among pre-school children is distinctly observed. In this slum area the intake of calorie is more whereas rice is the main source of food for them. But protein, fat, vitamin C and vitamin A intake is very less as compared to the normal diet table. So the children are suffering from protein calorie malnutrition with some deficiency diseases. Lack of knowledge of the mother about dietary requirements and the nutritive value of different foods is the main contributory cause for the widespread occurrence of malnutrition among pre-school children. The health education is a major means today for achieving changes in health practices and the recognition of health needs.