Research Article
Nutritional Status of School Going Children (6-9 Years Old) In the Western Suburban Slums of Mumbai
Abhipsha Gupta* and Reema Mathur
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, SNDT Women’s University, Juhu Campus, Mumbai, Maharashtra India
*Corresponding author:Abhipsha Gupta, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, SNDT Women’s University, Juhu Campus, Mumbai, Maharashtra India. E-mail Id:abhipshagupta99@gmail.com
Article Information:Submission: 08/04/2026; Accepted: 21/04/2026; Published: 24/04/2026
Copyright: © 2026 Abhipsha Gupta, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background: Adequate nutrition during the early school years (6–9 years) is fundamental for supporting optimal growth, cognitive development and academic performance. Children living in urban slums are particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies due to poverty, food insecurity and poor environmental conditions, which may adversely affect their overall health and learning potential. Considering the importance of nutrition for this age group, this study was undertaken to evaluate the nutritional status and dietary intake of school-going children residing in the western suburban slums of Mumbai.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the western suburban slums of Mumbai with the aim to assess the malnutrition and dietary status of school going children of 6 to 9 years of age. Data was collected by visiting anganwadi centres to meet the participants or by visiting their houses. Demographic information was collected using a questionnaire and nutritional status was assessed through anthropometric measurements, dietary intake using 24 hour recall and food frequency and medical issues. Descriptive statistics was used and correlations estimated at p<0.05 level of significance.
Results: According to BAZ (Body Mass Index for age- Z scores), 39% children were severely underweight and 14% underweight; 37% were stunted (HAZ- Height for Age Z scores) and 35% were thin (MUAC-Mid Upper Arm Circumference). The mean intake of energy for males was 681±261 kcal and 837±322 kcal for females, carbohydrate intake was 80±19 g and 87±12 g, protein intake was 13±5 g and 14±4 g and for fat, intakes was 25±6 g and 24±5 g for males and females respectively. These were all much lower than the EAR values. Iron and zinc intakes were similar in both sexes whereas calcium and vitamin A were only slightly higher in females. Significant differences were observed in the nutrient intakes of the children in the HAZ – Height-for-Age Z-score; MUAC – Mid-Upper Arm Circumference, and BMI –categories with the malnourished having a lower intake.
Conclusions: The school children in this study were malnourished and had nutrient intakes lower than the values recommended by ICMR for this age group.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the western suburban slums of Mumbai with the aim to assess the malnutrition and dietary status of school going children of 6 to 9 years of age. Data was collected by visiting anganwadi centres to meet the participants or by visiting their houses. Demographic information was collected using a questionnaire and nutritional status was assessed through anthropometric measurements, dietary intake using 24 hour recall and food frequency and medical issues. Descriptive statistics was used and correlations estimated at p<0.05 level of significance.
Results: According to BAZ (Body Mass Index for age- Z scores), 39% children were severely underweight and 14% underweight; 37% were stunted (HAZ- Height for Age Z scores) and 35% were thin (MUAC-Mid Upper Arm Circumference). The mean intake of energy for males was 681±261 kcal and 837±322 kcal for females, carbohydrate intake was 80±19 g and 87±12 g, protein intake was 13±5 g and 14±4 g and for fat, intakes was 25±6 g and 24±5 g for males and females respectively. These were all much lower than the EAR values. Iron and zinc intakes were similar in both sexes whereas calcium and vitamin A were only slightly higher in females. Significant differences were observed in the nutrient intakes of the children in the HAZ – Height-for-Age Z-score; MUAC – Mid-Upper Arm Circumference, and BMI –categories with the malnourished having a lower intake.
Conclusions: The school children in this study were malnourished and had nutrient intakes lower than the values recommended by ICMR for this age group.
Keywords:School Children; Malnutrition;Dietary Intake; Anthropometry; Urban Slums; India