Persisting malnutrition in Chandigarh: decadal underweight trends and impact of ICDS program

Indian Pediatr. 2011 Apr;48(4):315-8. doi: 10.1007/s13312-011-0058-1. Epub 2010 Oct 30.

Abstract

Decline in malnutrition levels has been dismal since the 1990s. We ascertained decadal trend in childhood nutritional status between 1997 and 2007 in Chandigarh, India and assessed impact of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) on childhood undernutrition. A total of 803 under-five children, 547 children between 12-23 months age, and 218 women with an infant child were recruited for the study. Findings of present study were compared with another methodologically similar study (1997) from Chandigarh and Reproductive and Child Health Rapid Household Survey (1998) to draw decadal trends. Prevalence of underweight among under-five children remained almost stagnant in the last one decade from 51.6%; (1997) to 50.4%; (2007). There was insignificant difference (P=0.3) in prevalence of underweight among children registered under ICDS program (52.1%;) and those not registered (48.4%;) in 2007. Other health and service provision indicators had mixed results in the past decade. Health services utilization was poorest in urban slums.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Child Welfare
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / epidemiology*
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Poverty Areas
  • Prevalence
  • Thinness / epidemiology*
  • Urban Population