A Study on the Prevalence and Impact of Malnutrition among Children Under Five in Selected Villages of Palghar and Thane Districts

This study investigates the nutritional status of children under the age of five in five villages located in the Palghar and Thane districts of Maharashtra-namely, Bamanpada, Jalkevadi, Vashala, Sayde, and Bhospada.The findings indicate an alarming situation, with all 100 children assessed being underweight.Additionally, half of the children were stunted, and nearly one -third were found to be suffering from wasting.While a majority of caregivers possess basic education, persistent poverty and poor dietary diversity continue to drive malnutrition in these communities.