Published Paper Details:

Introduction: Protein Energy Malnutrition is a common and widely prevalent type of malnutrition in children residing in rural and urban slums, especially in developing countries. There are various factors influence the risk of under nutrition. Malnutrition plays a important role in morbidity and mortality of children. Objectives: 1. To find the prevalence of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) among the children between 3-5 years and 2. to determine the association between the Protein Energy Malnutrition among the children between 3-5 years with their selected demographic variables. Method: A descriptive study was conducted to the children between 3-5 years in selected community areas of Bhubaneswar. Multi-stage random and convenience sampling technique was used to collect the samples. Data were collected by using structured interview technique. Data were analyzed by utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: According to IAP classification, Majority of children 48.9 % were in normal nutritional status, remaining children were suffering with grade I PEM (33.5%), grade II PEM (15.7%), grade III PEM (1.5%) and grade IV PEM (0.4%). Conclusion: This study concluded that, many children had Protein-Energy Malnutrition due to their low-socio economic status. Health education should be given to the mothers of under-five children suffering with PEM.