Growth Pattern of Children Attending Anganwadis in a Rural Area in Karnataka, India

Background: Anthropometric measurements are integral to monitor the growth of the under five children of the Anganwadi. Under-nutrition, being one of the most common morbidities in the under fives, it was decided to assess the growth pattern of children attending 7 anganwadis in 6 villages situated in our field practice area.

Objectives: To assess the growth pattern of Under-five children attending the Anganwadis in 6 villages in our field practice area.

Materials: Study area-7 Anganwadis in 6 villages, under Sarjapura PHC area in Anekal taluk; Study period-July 2003 to July 2007; Study population-children in the age group of 2 to 5 years attending Anganwadi; Study design-longitudinal study; Instruments-A standard measuring tape, 'Salter and Harris' weighing scale;

Method: Weight and height of each child was taken at monthly intervals. Quarterly anthropometric measurement of all children was considered for analysis. Inclusion criteria: Children between 2 to 5 years of age, who had at least 2 readings in our quarterly measurements in 1 year, were included in the study.

Results: Out of the 403 children examined, 203 children (98 males and 105 females) fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The quarterly mean weights (in kgs) were calculated and 76.9% of these mean recordings were within normal limits. The quarterly mean heights (in cms) were calculated and it was found that all the mean heights were lower than 95% of the expected. Similarly, quarterly weights and heights for caste and gender were obtained and analysed. However, no significant difference was seen for these two categories.

Conclusions: The mean heights of the children in this study were lower than the expected under the IAP classification; while that for weight, was within normal limits for most of the children.