Growth and nutrition of rural children in dhrangadhra, India

Despite Government programs, childhood malnutrition remains a concern in rural India. This is attributed to poverty, drought, and inadequate food supply. Our research aimed to determine (i) the prevalence of childhood malnutrition in various rural communities; (ii) maternal knowledge about nutrition; and (iii) existing nutritional programs and their utilization. Height, weight and BMI were measured in 266 children aged 5–15 years in three different communities of Dhrangadhra, and results were compared with age- and gender-specific Indian reference norms. Ten mothers, four local pediatricians and two focus groups of mothers were interviewed, with assistance of local translators. Middle class children attending a private school (n=89, 63% males) showed a mix of underweight (11%) and overweight (10%) findings. Poor rural schoolchildren (n=82, 65% males) showed a high rate of those underweight (33%) and one overweight child. Children living in an extremely poor, “untouchable” community of snake charmers (n=95, 50% males) showed an increased prevalence of underweight (9%) but no overweight children. Mothers consistently had insufficient knowledge regarding basic nutrition, and Government programs to address childhood nutrition were ineffective in these communities. Child undernutrition remains a problem in Dhrangadhra, despite Government programs, and overnutrition may be an emerging problem among children from more affluent families. Knowledge of relevant Government nutrition programs is poor, and some Government health workers are inadequately trained or not implementing these programs with fidelity. Guided by these findings, culturally appropriate health messages will be delivered using local Indian partners and community leaders.