Publication: Evaluation of Nutritional Status by Mid-Upper Arm Circumference Amongst Affluent Children
Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS)
Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction: Anthropometry is widely accepted as low-cost technique for defining the nutritional status of children. The mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) is a fast screening method in detecting acute malnutrition and it is also a predictor of childhood mortality.
Materials and Methods: This is the retrospective study to evaluate the nutritional status based on mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) among urban, pre-school age children. A total of 1060 children, aged 1 to 3 years, attending the vaccination clinic of the Indian Red Cross Society Paschim Medinipur Hospital over a two years period, were enrolled in the study. The measurement of MUAC (in centimetres) was taken by the standard technique. Undernutrition was defined based on age and sex-specific MUAC cut-off values as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Results: Boys were higher level of mean MUAC than girls at all ages and there was no significant sex differences. The age-combined rate of overall undernutrition was 18.96% and it was slightly higher among the boys (19.38%) than girls (18.46%). The age-combined moderate undernutrition was higher among the boys (16.08% vs 14.11%) but girls’ value was higher in case of severe undernutrition (3.28% vs 4.35%).
Conclusion: The present study showed that a remarkable number of pre-schooler was undernourished based on MUAC.
Description
S Maiti
Research Scholar, Bio-Med Laboratory Science & Management, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore
D De
Research Scholar, Bio-Med Laboratory Science & Management, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore
KM Ali
Research Scholar, Bio-Med Laboratory Science & Management, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore
A Ghosh
Research Scholar, Bio-Med Laboratory Science & Management, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore
Debidas Ghosh
Professor and Head of Department, Rural Research Institute of Physiology and Applied Nutrition, Midnapore, West Bengal
S Paul
Director, Rural Research Institute of Physiology and Applied Nutrition, Midnapore, West Bengal
Keywords
Nutritional status, MUAC, pre-school Children, Affluent