Palak Gupta ¹, Kalyani Singh ¹, Veenu Seth ¹, Sidharth Agarwal ², Pulkit Mathur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food and Nutrition, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, IN
2 Urban Health Resource Center, 136 Humanyunpur, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110 029, IN

Abstract

Objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition among young children (6-36 months) in urban slums of India and its consequences on the nutritional status of the children. Household-based crosssectional study on a sample of 446 mother/child diad was conducted. Structured interview schedules were used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, food insecurity and household assets wealth. Height and weight were also measured. The results indicated the prevalence of child food insecurity was 38 per cent. More than 50 per cent were stunted and 36 per cent were underweight. Two-third underweight and 53 per cent stunted children were food insecure. Multivariate associations showed statistically significant inverse association of stunting and underweight with child food security status. Children from very low food secure households were 5.92 times more underweight and 4.14 times more stunted than food secure households. It was concluded that child food insecurity was associated with malnutrition. Strategies for reducing child malnutrition should focus on improving the food security.

Keywords

Food Security, Malnutrition, Young Children, Urban Slums.

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Archna Dua ¹, Veenu Seth ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Foods and Nutrition, Lady Irwin College, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

Obesity, a world wide problem, associated with a reduced life span, has been extensively documented in the western countries. A high prevalence has been reported in the female sex, with some evidence of an association with parity. Indian data on obesity is, however, meagre.

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Nayera Masoodi ¹, Veenu Seth ¹, Kalyani Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Food and Nutrition, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, Delhi - 110 001, IN

Abstract

Doctor’s main role and prior responsibility is medical treatment of patients. Doctors can also share their expertise in nutrition care of patients in hospitals. Optimum nutrition affects both the response to medical treatments and eventually recovery. Doctors are usually perceived as the best source of information, by patients. In addition, they must provide some nutrition information to patients, in order to provide good care to patients. Doctors can motivate patients to eat healthy and also guide patients for dietary modifications to help in recovery. The present study, exploratory in nature, was carried out in Srinagar to have an insight and know the role and perspective in patient care especially in context of nutrition services, in the hospitals. The objective of the study was to investigate about if doctors were a part of nutrition care. Study sample consisted of 62 doctors, representing 2% from each hospital. Data was gathered using an interview schedule followed by observation and discussion with doctors. A scoring pattern was formed to evaluate doctor’s perspective and their role in nutrition care of patients. Data was collected from 11 hospitals which provided nutrition services to patients which were included in the study. It was seen that doctors appeared to have a minimal role and little awareness of the assessment of nutritional needs of patients. Doctors reported that they briefly discussed the diet with some of their patients. Nutritional assessment was not done during the patients hospital stay. Their interaction with dietitians was also not adequate about patients nutrition care. It was concluded that there was a need to increase the awareness of doctors about the importance of nutrition care of patients. However what was encouraging was the response of the doctors towards the need for dietitians, providing a balanced diet and nutrition counselling, perhaps indicating some realization that dietitians were required for improving nutrition care of patients.

Keywords

Hospital, Doctors, Nutrition Care, Patients, Balanced Diet.

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