Malnutrition among Underfive Children and Factors Influencing it

A descriptive study was conducted at Trivandrum District of Kerala among 108 children; aged 6 months to 5 years old were selected by consecutive sampling followed by total enumeration sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on factors influencing malnutrition and nutritional status was assessed by measuring height, weight and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC). Degree of malnutrition was calculated based in IAP classification and Arnold's classification. Majority (86%) of the children are well nourished, (12%) had grade 1 malnutrition and (3%) had grade 2 malnutrition none of the children had grade 3 and 4 level of malnutrition. It was found socioeconomic factor, nutritional factor and health factor were strongly influenced child's nutritional status (p<0.05)