Prevalence of protein energy malnutrition among under-five children belonging to rural areas of south 24 parganas, west bengal

Objective: A study to assess the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) among under-five children with various sociodemographic variables which affect the nutritional status among under-five children in selected rural areas of South 24 parganas, West Bengal.

Study Design and Setting: House to house visits by cross-sectional study covering 300 under- five children in rural areas of South 24 parganas, West Bengal. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and inferential analysis of nonprobability consecutive sampling.

Result: According to the Gomez classification, 44.43% had good nutritional status with the proportion of first, second and third degree malnutrition was 39.34%, 15.66% and 0.66%, respectively. A significant association of PEM was determined by the age of the children. Conclusion: Need to provide health education regarding antenatal diet, the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, importance of immunization among under-five children and development of the integrated child development scheme at the school level.