Prevalence of malnutrition in rural Karnataka, South India: A comparison of anthropometric indicators

Malnutrition is a problem at varying proportions in developing countries, and anthropometry is a simple tool to assess its magnitude in children. This study was aimed at identifying the prevalence of malnutrition among 256 children of rural areas of Karnataka in South India, who attended the aanganwadis. The value of using various field-based formulae and of various anthropometric indicators used for classification of malnutrition was also studied. The children, aged 12-60 months, came from villages located at the outskirts of Bangalore city. The prevalence of wasting, stunting, and wasting and stunting was 31.2%, 9.4%, and 29.2% respectively. Wasting was more predominant among the younger age groups (p<0.01). To detect wasting (acute malnutrition), the best indicator was a comparison with the reference weight calculated using Weech's formula. However, the age of child had to be rounded off to the nearest quarter of a year. Results of the study showed that indicators, such as mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), needed to be used with caution since they are not sensitive enough to detect all cases of malnutrition. However, the MUAC-for-height (quac stick) method could be used since it was more sensitive. For detection of stunting, if reference tables are not available, Weech's formula can be used for calculation of expected height taking care to account for age to the nearest quarter, although the sensitivity of this indicator is not very high.