Abstract

STUDY OF THE INCIDENCE OF UNDERNOURISHMENT DISEASES ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA IN CHILDREN OF AGE GROUP 3-6 YEARS

*Dr. Raj Babanrao Divekar B.A.M.S., Dr. Rahul H. Gujarathi M.D, (Kaumarbhritya Tantra) Asso. Professor

ABSTRACT

PEM is commonest form of Malnourishment. India is a home to over 1/3rd of worlds malnourished children. The PEM has multifactorial etiology. To overcome this big problem Government of India started Mid Day Meal Programme. National Family Health surveys were started in 1992, to evaluate nutritional status all over India. In this survey/study 600 students within 50 km distance after PMC limit in area of Haveli taluka from anganwadi/ashramashala/pre-primary schools of age group 3-6 years were selected. These students were divided in three groups, each group of 200 students. Nutritional assessment was done using modern PEM assessment criteria and Ayurveda hetus of karshya and Balashosha. After analysis it was found that maternal nutrition has great influence in child health. Parental education, income has positive correlation with malnutrition. Isolated cases of pure protein deficiency are still present. More cases of PEM was observed in age group 5-6 years. this study also shows that males are prone to malnutrition than females, this is surprising thing came out of this study. Ayurvedic causative factors were also observed in this study. This study shows approximately similar findings those of NFHS 3 data. Atlast, this study shows, though we are focusing a lot over malnutrition, still cases of malnutrition are present in population. Hence more vigorous steps should be used to over come this big problem also ayurvedic approach should be considered in national policies.

Keywords: Protein energy malnutrition, National Family Health Survey, Khadilkars growth charts, karshya, balashosha, phakka, parigarbhika.