THE INFLUENCE OF FOOD SECURITY ON THE PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION AND ANAEMIA IN CHILDREN AGED 5-12: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/wm7g3p54Keywords:
School-age children, Malnutrition, Anaemia, Food security, Dietary diversityAbstract
Introduction: Malnutrition and anaemia remain intertwined public health challenges among school-age children in Tamil Nadu. Tiruvallur district, located on the north-western periphery of Chennai, is characterised by semi-urban slums, migrant labour communities, and fragile agrarian livelihoods that collectively compromise household food security. Despite measurable economic growth in the region, childhood malnutrition and iron-deficiency anaemia persist at levels above the state average, demanding systematic elucidation of their socio-economic and dietary determinants. Materials and Methods: A mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted at Indira Medical College and Hospital, Tiruvallur. Both probability (simple random and systematic) and purposive sampling were employed. The study population comprised 120 school-age children aged 5–12 years attending the paediatric outpatient department and their caregivers (n = 110). Anthropometric indices (height-for-age, weight-for-age, BMI-for-age) were assessed using WHO (2007) reference standards. Haemoglobin was measured by cyanmethaemoglobin method; anaemia was defined per WHO (2011) criteria. Statistical comparisons were performed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer post hoc test (GraphPad InStat v5, P < 0.05). Results: Children aged 5–8 years constituted 52% of the malnourished group; males were disproportionately affected (55% vs 45%). Low birth-weight children (≤2.4 kg) formed 61% of the malnourished sample, 17 times more prevalent than those born above 3.1 kg (P < 0.001). Twice-daily meals were the dominant feeding pattern in 59% of children and 54% of adults. Anaemia was detected in 68% of malnourished children; 42% had moderate anaemia (Hb 7.0–9.9 g/dL). Households earning below ₹3,000/month represented 71% of the sample. Fathers were the sole income decision-makers in 46% of households with malnourished children (P < 0.001). Low food consumption scores (0–21) were present in 62% of households.
Conclusion: Malnutrition and anaemia in school-age children in Tiruvallur are strongly determined by low household income, paternal decision-making dominance, low birth weight, restricted meal frequency, and limited dietary diversity. Targeted nutritional interventions integrating iron supplementation, school meal programmes, and caregiver education are urgently warranted.
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