Prevalence of undernutrition among children (5-12 years) belonging to three communities residing in a similar habitat in North Bengal, India

Background: In India, children show a high incidence of undernutrition and constitute a highly susceptible group. Aim: The present cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence of undernutrition among school-going children belonging to three communities in the same geographical and ecological habitat. Subjects and methods: A total of 906 boys and 964 girls in the age group of 5-12 years and belonging to the Rajbanshi, Tea-labourer and Bengalee Muslim communities residing in North Bengal, India were included. Height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height were used to evaluate their nutritional status and these were compared with the NCHS reference data. The statistical methods used included chi-square and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: There were wide variations in stunting, underweight and wasting among the children of the three ethnic communities. Significant gender differences were observed between and within the communities. Children from Tea-labourer and Bengali Muslim were more affected in comparison to the Rajbanshi. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that gender, ethnic community and number of siblings are significantly associated with undernutrition. Family size does not seem to be associated with undernutrition. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of undernutrition among the children. Urgent nutritional intervention is necessary to ameliorate their nutritional status.