Malnutrition and obesity on a Paediatric Ward of a tertiary teaching hospital in Kerala, India

We report the nutritional profile of children 5 years of age oryounger admitted to a ward of a tertiary teaching hospital inKerala, India. We surveyed 40 children admitted to a ward ofthe Sri Avittam Thirunal Hospital (SAT), Trivandrum, duringone calendar month in 2008. The measures included anassessment of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM), Stunting,Wasting and Obesity. We also explored the socioeconomic,gender and age factors impacting on these measures.Prevalence of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) was 27.5 %as classified by the Indian Academy of Pediatricians (IAP), 48 %of subjects were found to be stunted. 50 % had wasting and13 % were overweight. Boys were more likely to develop PEM(O.R=2.9), stunting (O.R=1.9) and wasting (O.R=2.2). Girlswere more likely to be overweight/obese (O.R= 2.00). Thoseclassified ‘Below Poverty Line’ (BPL) were less likely to developPEM (O.R= 0.3), stunting (O.R=0.4) or wasting (O.R=0.8).Those‘Above Poverty Line’ (APL) were more likely to be overweight(O.R=1.60). This study indicates the prevalence of bothmalnutrition and obesity in an Indian hospital population.