Nutritional Status of Children Under Five Years in the Slums of West Bengal, India: A Cross-Sectional Study on Prevalence, Characteristics, and Determinants

Abstract

Objective: With rapid urbanization in countries like India, understanding the nutritional status and needs of urban populations, particularly among underprivileged groups such as people living in slums, is crucial. This study investigates the prevalence, characteristics, and determinants of child malnutrition in the urban slums of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) in West Bengal, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 736 children aged 6-59 months. Data were collected using structured interviews to gather socioeconomic, demographic, and dietary information, alongside anthropometric measurements. The analysis employed the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF), and multiple linear regression (MLR) models to identify key factors influencing malnutrition. Results: The findings revealed a high prevalence of stunting (24.1%), underweight (22.3%), and wasting (15.4%) among children aged 6-59 months, with significant variations observed between the two study sites. Key predictors of anthropometric malnutrition include low household income, incidence of recent illness, low maternal nutrition, and delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Conclusions: Addressing child malnutrition in urban slums requires integrated strategies encompassing income-generation opportunities, health-sensitive urban planning, and focused maternal and child health interventions.

Keywords: India; Kolkata; Siliguri; children under five; malnutrition; urban slums; urbanization.

Figure 1

Prevalence of different forms of anthropometric malnutrition (%) among children (6–59 months) in the study locations.