Nutritional status of under-five children in urban slums of Pune

Background: The nutritional status of under five children in urban slums is an important health indicator for assessing the health status of entire population and one of the major predictors of child survival. Objective: A nutritional survey was carried out in September- October 2012 in the field practice area of a medical college in Pimpri, Pune area with an objective to assess the nutritional status of under-five children. Materials and Methods: All the under five students in the field practice area of the medical college were examined. A total of 658 children were examined. Results and Conclusion: It was observed that the prevalence of under weight 34.3% (226/654) (30.7 to 38.0 C.I.), stunting 58.7% (386/654) (54.9 to 62.4 C.I.) and wasting was 16.9%(109/654) (14.0 to 19.7 95% C.I.). The prevalence of under weight 37.6% (114/303) and stunting 61.4% (186/303) was more in girls whereas wasting was more in boys 18%.(64/355).