Multidimensional Analysis of Under-Six Child Malnutrition Using CIAF: A Case Study from Forest-Fringe Gram Panchayats of the Indian Sundarban

Child nutritional status is crucial for child health and future human capital, especially in ecologically and socioeconomically vulnerable regions, such as the Indian Sundarban. This study examines the nutritional status of children under six years old in forest-fringe Gram Panchayats across six peripheral blocks of the Indian Sundarban. These blocks are Gosaba, Patharpratima, Kultali, Namkhana, Basanti, and Hingalganj. The study surveyed 1,392 mother-child pairs across 38 SC and ST-dominated villages, with at least 30 pairs from each village. We collected the data associated with anthropometry following the standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in child growth standards. Data concerning maternal height and weight, alongside socio-economic, demographic, and health awareness-related information, were gathered with semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) model provides a comprehensive idea about multiple forms of undernutrition, including stunting, wasting, and underweight. Findings reveal an alarming prevalence of CIAF, with over 50 per cent of children affected in 10 out of 25 Gram Panchayats. Bally-I was the worst-performing Panchayat. Multinomial Logistic Regression (MLR) analysis reveals significant associations between CIAF and various factors, including maternal BMI, mothers' educational status, birth weight, birth intervals, teenage motherhood, child morbidity, and child feeding practices, antenatal care visits, handwashing habits, and unsafe water usage for cooking. Community engagement and policy-level attention are urgently needed in high-risk areas to address child anthropometric failure. An immediate focus on maternal health, hygiene practices, and awareness generation will be required to mitigate childhood malnutrition.