Assessment by neo-CIAF formula predicts contrast occurrence of overweight and undernourishment in preschool children of Jangalmahal districts, India

Objective: Overweight/obesity among preschool children has become an alarming phenomenon in low to middle-income countries, including India. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight and underweight among children aged 2-6 years in Paschim Medinipur and Bankura districts, West Bengal, India. Methods: We selected 497 children using systematic random sampling. The weight and height of each child was measured. BMI and Z-scores (WAZ, HAZ, WHZ) were calculated following standard techniques. Stunting, wasting, underweight, and composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) were evaluated. Data analysis included Student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA. Bibliometric analysis was conducted to evaluate the trends of research in this field. Results: Height and weight increased with age, indicating growth, but BMI declined slightly in older age groups. WAZ scores indicated prevalent underweight across all ages, with significant stunting observed in children aged 48-59 months. WHZ scores showed consistent negative values, suggesting ongoing wasting. The CIAF revealed that 50.91% of children experienced anthropometric failure, predominantly stunting and underweight. The study also revealed that 4.63% of the child suffer from overweight. Girls showed slightly higher rates of anthropometric failure than boys. Conclusion: This study underscores the significant prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition among young children in Paschim Medinipur and Bankura. Effective interventions are urgently needed to address these challenges, including improving food security, enhancing healthcare services, promoting nutritional education, and ensuring sanitation facilities. Tailored strategies considering local socio-economic contexts are crucial for improving child health outcomes and mitigating the long-term effects of malnutrition in these districts.