Effect of Nutritional Intervention on Protein Energy Malnutrition among under Five Children

Protein Energy Malnutrition [PEM] is one of the prime nutritional and health problem in India. The PEM leads to poor growth and high levels of morality among children under two years, which is a major cause of 30% of death among under five children.

The research was carried out in two phases; in first phase cross sectional design and an evaluative research approach with quasi experimental one group pretest posttest design was used. In second phase of the study the sample of 520 children attending in selected anganwadies were selected by multistage sampling technique. The tools used for the data collection were demographic proforma, observation record, dietary practice assessment questionnaire, questionnaire to find out the factors contributing to PEM and problem assessment checklist.

Findings of the study revealed that the mean weight at the time of pretest for Children was 9. 962± 1.288 and was increased to 10.159 ± 1.318 during the posttest 1. The mean weight at post test 2 was 10.57 ± 1.298. it revealed a difference in mean weight before and after the intervention (p<0.001). There was association found between PEM & selected demographic variables like age (χ² = 10.087, p<0.05), education of mother (χ² = 17.476, p<0.05) and occupation of father (χ² = 12.592, p<0.05)

The nutritional intervention was effective in gaining the weight among the children. Nurse educators and administrators should take the responsibilities for conducting the structured teaching program on prevention and management of PEM among community and anganwadies.