PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN IN RURAL AREA OF ALLAHABAD DISTRICT OF UTTAR PRADESH.

In developing countries malnutrition is one of the major public health problems among children. Normal growth is dependent on adequate nutrition and encompasses major transformations from birth to adulthood. Socio-economic status and behaviors of family members, environmental factors are other determinants of nutritional status of children. This research was conducted to assess the factors associated with nutritional status of children in Allahabad District of Uttar Pradesh. This was a community based Cross-sectional study. It was conducted in Allahabad district. A totalsample of three hundred ninety one children were selected using random sampling technique. Data was collected using a pre tested schedule. More than half of the children (74.79 % in Jasra Block and 67.53 % in Chakka Block) aged 6- 24 months were malnourished according to Gomez Classification . Most of the mothers were illiterate. Majority of the children were found stunted according to Waterlow?s classification. More than the half the children (57.75%) were underweight who were born by mother less than 18 years of age where as 75% were underweight born by mother aged above 35 years of age. More than half of the children were found underweight and Nearly 2/3rd of the children were found stunted. To get better nutritional status of children, greater emphasis should be given to under five years children with community based awareness programs to mother and care givers.