Assessment of nutritional status and dietary intake among children in Samastipur District, Bihar https://doi.org/10.21276/AATCCReview.2026.14.03.42 Merina Khwairakpam https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6477-5310 Usha Singh https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4177-0848 Background: Nutritional status during the preschool years is a key determinant of child growth, development, and long-term health. This study assessed the nutritional status, dietary diversity, food group consumption, and nutrient intake of preschool children aged 3–6 years in Samastipur district, Bihar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 preschool children selected from two schools in Pusa block. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary intake using a 24-hour dietary recall, food group consumption, and anthropometric measurements were collected. Nutritional status was assessed using WHO Child Growth Standards based on weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and weight-for-height (WHZ) Z-scores. Results: All children consumed cereals, pulses, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables, while 95.6% consumed eggs and flesh foods, indicating good dietary diversity. Mean energy, protein, carbohydrate, and zinc intakes met or exceeded the recommended dietary allowances, whereas fat and iron intakes were below the recommendations. Anthropometric assessment revealed that 40.0% of children were underweight, including 6.7% moderately underweight, while 70.0% were stunted, with 47.8% classified as severely stunted. No cases of wasting were observed; however, 16.5% of children were overweight and 17.6% were obese, indicating the coexistence of chronic undernutrition and excess body weight. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a dual burden of malnutrition among preschool children, characterized by a high prevalence of stunting alongside overweight and obesity. These results highlight the need for integrated nutrition interventions that address chronic growth faltering, improve micronutrient intake, and promote healthy dietary and lifestyle practices among preschool children. Challenges and contribution: The study’s small sample size and use of a 24-hour dietary recall may limit the generalizability and accuracy of the findings. Despite these limitations, the study contributes important evidence on the nutritional status and dietary intake of preschool children by demonstrating the coexistence of a high prevalence of stunting and underweight with overweight and obesity, thereby highlighting the double burden of malnutrition and the need for integrated nutrition interventions.

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Original Research Article
Merina Khwairakpam1 Usha Singh2
1 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Community Science, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar- 848125, India
2 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Community Science, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar- 848125, India
https://doi.org/10.21276/AATCCReview.2026.14.03.42

Abstract

Background: Nutritional status during the preschool years is a key determinant of child growth, development, and long-term health. This study assessed the nutritional status, dietary diversity, food group consumption, and nutrient intake of preschool children aged 3–6 years in Samastipur district, Bihar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 preschool children selected from two schools in Pusa block. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary intake using a 24-hour dietary recall, food group consumption, and anthropometric measurements were collected. Nutritional status was assessed using WHO Child Growth Standards based on weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and weight-for-height (WHZ) Z-scores. Results: All children consumed cereals, pulses, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables, while 95.6% consumed eggs and flesh foods, indicating good dietary diversity. Mean energy, protein, carbohydrate, and zinc intakes met or exceeded the recommended dietary allowances, whereas fat and iron intakes were below the recommendations. Anthropometric assessment revealed that 40.0% of children were underweight, including 6.7% moderately underweight, while 70.0% were stunted, with 47.8% classified as severely stunted. No cases of wasting were observed; however, 16.5% of children were overweight and 17.6% were obese, indicating the coexistence of chronic undernutrition and excess body weight. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a dual burden of malnutrition among preschool children, characterized by a high prevalence of stunting alongside overweight and obesity. These results highlight the need for integrated nutrition interventions that address chronic growth faltering, improve micronutrient intake, and promote healthy dietary and lifestyle practices among preschool children. Challenges and contribution: The study’s small sample size and use of a 24-hour dietary recall may limit the generalizability and accuracy of the findings. Despite these limitations, the study contributes important evidence on the nutritional status and dietary intake of preschool children by demonstrating the coexistence of a high prevalence of stunting and underweight with overweight and obesity, thereby highlighting the double burden of malnutrition and the need for integrated nutrition interventions.

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