Research Article
Prevalence, Patterns, and Determinants of Malnutrition Among Children Under Five in the Mal Paharia Community, Littipara, Jharkhand
Khanang Y1, Chakraborty D2*
1Independent Researcher, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, India
2Regional Head, Sarva Seva Samity Sanstha (4S India), Jharkhand, India
2Regional Head, Sarva Seva Samity Sanstha (4S India), Jharkhand, India
*Corresponding author:Debanjan Chakraborty, Regional Head, Sarva Seva Samity Sanstha (4S India), Jharkhand, India. E-mail Id: chakraborty.debanjan83@gmail.com
Article Information:Submission: 06/06/2026; Accepted: 23/06/2026; Published: 25/06/2026
Copyright: © 2026 Khanang Y, 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
Malnutrition among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) remains a major public health challenge in India. Children belonging to tribal communities experience disproportionately high levels of undernutrition due to poverty, food insecurity, poor sanitation, maternal anemia, and inadequate access to healthcare. The Mal Paharia community of Littipara block in Pakur district, Jharkhand, represents one of the most marginalized tribal populations
in eastern India.
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to June 28, 2025, among 122 children aged 0-59 months from eight villages of Littipara block, Pakur district, Jharkhand. Children were selected through random sampling technique. Anthropometric measurements, including height and weight, were recorded using standard WHO protocols. Nutritional status was assessed by using WHO Child Growth Standards and the Poshan Calculator application. Data regarding maternal health, sanitation, dietary practices, and healthcare access were collected through interview method using close ended questionnaire and field observations.
The study included 67 boys and 55 girls under five years of age. Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) was observed among 19.6% of children, while Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) was identified among 3.2% of children. Maternal anemia prevalence exceeded 80% among screened women. Open defecation was practiced by 85.96% of households. Poor dietary diversity, adolescent pregnancies, inadequate breastfeeding practices, recurrent infections, dependence on traditional healers, and weak ICDS implementation emerged as major determinants of malnutrition.
Malnutrition among Mal Paharia children is strongly associated with structural poverty, maternal undernutrition, food insecurity, poor sanitation, and inadequate healthcare access. Community-based nutrition interventions, strengthening of ICDS services, maternal health support, and culturally sensitive public health planning are urgently required to improve nutritional outcomes among PVTG populations.
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to June 28, 2025, among 122 children aged 0-59 months from eight villages of Littipara block, Pakur district, Jharkhand. Children were selected through random sampling technique. Anthropometric measurements, including height and weight, were recorded using standard WHO protocols. Nutritional status was assessed by using WHO Child Growth Standards and the Poshan Calculator application. Data regarding maternal health, sanitation, dietary practices, and healthcare access were collected through interview method using close ended questionnaire and field observations.
The study included 67 boys and 55 girls under five years of age. Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) was observed among 19.6% of children, while Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) was identified among 3.2% of children. Maternal anemia prevalence exceeded 80% among screened women. Open defecation was practiced by 85.96% of households. Poor dietary diversity, adolescent pregnancies, inadequate breastfeeding practices, recurrent infections, dependence on traditional healers, and weak ICDS implementation emerged as major determinants of malnutrition.
Malnutrition among Mal Paharia children is strongly associated with structural poverty, maternal undernutrition, food insecurity, poor sanitation, and inadequate healthcare access. Community-based nutrition interventions, strengthening of ICDS services, maternal health support, and culturally sensitive public health planning are urgently required to improve nutritional outcomes among PVTG populations.
Keywords: Malnutrition; Mal Paharia; PVTG; Maternal Anemia; Child Nutrition; Jharkhand