%0 Journal Article
%T Analysis and Intervention of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children at an Urban Public School in Mumbai, India
%A Esha Chainani
%J Open Journal of Preventive Medicine
%P 131-141
%@ 2162-2485
%D 2018
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojpm.2018.84013
%X <em>Background: </em>There is a dearth of information regarding trends of malnutrition and weight status in children from rapidly developing economies like India. <em>Objectives: </em>The aim of this study is to analyze the dynamics of malnutrition in a group of school children from India, and then provide interventions for the children that have severe acute malnutrition. <em>Methods:</em> Children that were found to lie between <span style=\"color:#333333;font-family:&quot;font-size:14px;white-space:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;\">&amp;#8722;</span>3 to <span style=\"color:#333333;font-family:&quot;font-size:14px;white-space:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;\">&amp;#8722;</span>4 SD of parameters of BMI, height for age and weight for age were labeled as SAM. Children that were screened for wasting and fell between <span style=\"color:#333333;font-family:&quot;font-size:14px;white-space:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;\">&amp;#8722;</span>2 to <span style=\"color:#333333;font-family:&quot;font-size:14px;white-space:normal;background-color:#FFFFFF;\">&amp;#8722;</span>4 SD were also included under the label of SAM. All participants were also given a prototype 1500-calorie diet to follow for the entire duration and 6 weekly sessions were taken for the parents on various topics on nutrition. <em>Results: </em>Quantitative analysis showed a great improvement in weights and heights of severely malnourished children. The average increase in weight of all children that participated in the study was 9.09% and the average increase in height was 1.39%. The weekly sessions given to the parents on various nutrition topics could be the cause of high compliance to the diet given to the children. <em>Conclusion:</em> Malnutrition is still a very big problem in developing countries like India. Basic interventions like an improvement in diet, education about micronutrients and balanced diet, and food-based interventions in severe malnutrition can lead to a great improvement in the health and development status of children.
%K Malnutrition
%K Children
%K Sam
%K India
%K Nutrition
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=84108