Synopsis 267

PROJECT PROPOSAL
NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF
PRESCHOOL (1-3 YEARS) CHILDREN
NAME: ………………….
ENROLMENT NO: …………………..
SUBJECT CODE: DNHE 4

INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE OF THE STUDY
The health status of the people is the wealth of a nation and nutrition is one of the most
important pre-requisites for good health. Child malnutrition is a wide spread public health
problem having international consequences because good nutrition is an essential
determinant for their well-being. The nutrition of infants and young children are causing
great concern among social scientists and planners these days, since child is the chief
victim of interplay of nutritional, socio-economic and health factors that cause
malnutrition. Health and nutrient investments may be particularly important forms of
human capital investments for low-income populations, including those in developing
countries (Mincer, 1974; Becker, 1975; Grossman, 1972; Edwards and Grossman, 1978;
Behrman, 1988; Behrman and Deolalikar, 1987). The quality of future human resource is
determined largely by the investment made for the development of child population. The
growing interest on child health and nutrition has been justified on many ways. In most
developing countries, child health from a medical point of view, both in absolute terms as
well as in relation to the total population, is primarily more resource allocation to meet
improved child health status.
Nutritional status of the children started worsening in the second year of their life. The
reports by United Nations (2007) confirm that the prevalence of moderate and severe
forms of malnutrition is high in children aged 13 to 36 months. Faulty infant feeding
practices are the root cause of the appallingly high prevalence of malnutrition, apart from
extreme poverty in some segments of our population (Malhothra, 2001).
Almost 47 percent of mothers initiated semi solid foods only by six months. This was an
1
important reason for inadequate intake of nutrients by the children. No mother reported
that the child was being fed with homemade weaning food (Aneja et al., 2000). Delayed
initiation of breast feeding, deprivation from colostrums and improper weaning are
significant risk factors for undernutrition among under five children (Kumar, 2006).
Studies in urban slums of Delhi showed 44 percent of mothers continue the traditional
practices of discarding the colostrums and not feeding it to the child (Aneja et al., 2000).
An essential requisite to evolve viable strategies to mitigate health and nutritional
problems of slum dwellers is baseline information. The present study was an attempt in
this direction.
Janakpuri with largest agglomeration of slums will be identified as a potential area. The
study will has therefore been conducted in the urban slums of Janakpuri subcity, with the
main focus on assessing the nutritional status of preschool children.
2
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The specific objective of the study is to analyze the nutritional status of preschool
children in slum areas of Janakpuri subcity, New Delhi.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This is a descriptive study to analyze the nutritional status of preschool children in slum
areas of Janakpuri subcity, New Delhi. Two slums areas will be randomly selected and a
comprehensive list of the registered slum areas in this ward will be obtained from the
local government secretariat in New Delhi. Parents of attending under-2 children will be
contacted and informed for their consent.
Sample Selection
Total 100 young mothers and their preschool children (150) will be selected for the
proposed study.
Data Collection
Data collection will be carried out with a socio-economic and nutritional survey based on
Gomez Classification (1956) and Kuppuswamy (1981).
Data collection will also be carried out with a clinical nutrition survey.
Clinical Assessment
Clinical examination has always been and remains an important practical method for
assessing nutritional status (Jelliffe, 1989). Clinical examination also helps to assess the
level of health of individuals or of population groups in relation to the food they
consume. It involves external examination of the body for changes in superficial
3
epithelial tissues especially hair, face, skin, gums, teeth, eyes and lips with the help of a
qualified physician, using a clinical assessment schedule (Appendix).
Data Analysis
In this study, statistical analysis of the data will be done using students t-test, Chi square,
and coefficient of correlation. Chi square test will be used to analyze the association
between variables. Besides percentages, mean and standard deviation will also be used in
data analysis.
4
REFERENCES
 D.DJ ellife (1996) – Assessment of the Nutritional Status of the Community.
WHO, Geneva, 50-76.
 Robin Peth Pierre (1998): the NICHD Study of Early Child Care. NICHD
 Aneja, B. Singh, P. Kapil, U. et al. 2000. Etiological factors of malnutrition
among Infants in two urban slums of Delhi. Indian Pediatrics. 38: 160-164.
 Malhotra, M. 2003. Effect of dietary habits on prevalence of anemia in pregnant
women of Delhi. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research 29, 2:73–78.
 Kumar, K. Sinha, R. K. 2007. Understanding women’s nutritional status in urban
India: A Comparative study of slum versus non slum dwellers. International
Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai.1-20.

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PROJECT PROPOSAL

PRESCHOOL (1-3 YEARS) CHILDREN

ENROLMENT NO: …………………..

SUBJECT CODE: DNHE 4

problem having international consequences because good nutrition is an essential

victim of interplay of nutritional, socio-economic and health factors that cause

malnutrition. Health and nutrient investments may be particularly important forms of

human capital investments for low-income populations, including those in developing

improved child health status.

forms of malnutrition is high in children aged 13 to 36 months. Faulty infant feeding

extreme poverty in some segments of our population (Malhothra, 2001).

An essential requisite to evolve viable strategies to mitigate health and nutritional

main focus on assessing the nutritional status of preschool children.

children in slum areas of Janakpuri subcity, New Delhi.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

contacted and informed for their consent.

Gomez Classification (1956) and Kuppuswamy (1981).

level of health of individuals or of population groups in relation to the food they

consume. It involves external examination of the body for changes in superficial

qualified physician, using a clinical assessment schedule (Appendix).

 D.DJ ellife (1996) – Assessment of the Nutritional Status of the Community.

WHO, Geneva, 50-76.

 Aneja, B. Singh, P. Kapil, U. et al. 2000. Etiological factors of malnutrition

 Malhotra, M. 2003. Effect of dietary habits on prevalence of anemia in pregnant

women of Delhi. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research 29, 2:73–78.

 Kumar, K. Sinha, R. K. 2007. Understanding women’s nutritional status in urban

India: A Comparative study of slum versus non slum dwellers. International

Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai.1-20.

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