Composite index of anthropometric failure and conventional anthropometric indices of undernutrition among children in India – a systematic review and meta-analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15584/ejcem.2024.4.23Keywords:
child undernutrition, composite index of anthropometric failure, meta-analysis, nutritional status, public health, systematic reviewAbstract
Introduction and aim. The high prevalence of childhood undernutrition continues to be a major public health issue in India. This systematic and meta-analysis study employed both the composite index of anthropometric failures (CIAF) and conventional to determine the magnitude of undernutrition in Indian children.
Material and methods. A comprehensive literature search was conducted from 2005 to June 2023 using electronic databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, J-Gate, and ScienceDirect. A random-effects model for pooled prevalence rates was generated and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 index and Q statistics.
Analysis of the literature. CIAF revealed a higher prevalence of undernutrition than conventional anthropometric indices in children aged 0 to 72 months. The combined prevalence of stunting and underweight was 37% (95%CI: 0.32-0.41), and wasting was 22% (95%CI: 0.18-0.25) (p<0.01). However, according to CIAF categorization, the pooled prevalence of undernourishment was reported to be 55% (95% CI:0.50-0.60; p<0.01). CIAF’s higher prevalence highlights its effectiveness in capturing childhood undernutrition, accounting for children with multiple concurrent nutritional deficiencies in population.
Conclusion. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the assessment of undernutrition using conventional anthropometric indices compared with CIAF, which aggregate different aspects of undernutrition, especially when children have multiple undernutrition issues. Appropriate, target-specific interventions are necessary to improve the overall nutritional status of Indian children.
Supporting Agencies
This research study has received financial assistance in the form of the University Grants Commission, Non-NET Fellowship, Government of India and Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim.Downloads
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