Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure Report

a cross-sectional study of under-five children in an urban informal settlement of Mumbai, India," conducted by SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action) and other researchers, examines the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among children under five in Mumbai's urban informal settlements. Traditional anthropometric indices often overlook children experiencing multiple forms of growth failure, which the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) addresses by providing a more comprehensive picture of child undernutrition.

The study utilized data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2014-2015, involving 6,489 children aged 0-59 months. The CIAF classified these children into seven subgroups based on different combinations of wasting, stunting, and underweight status. Findings revealed that over half of the children (52.3%) were undernourished, with the most prevalent subgroup being "stunting and underweight." The study also identified several factors associated with undernutrition, including the child's age, the mother’s age and education, parity, type of toilet facility, and household economic status.

The research suggests that using CIAF in nutrition programs can help develop targeted interventions to address the specific needs of children facing multiple growth failures. It underscores the importance of addressing maternal education and early pregnancies to improve child health and nutrition outcomes. The study highlights the critical need for continued focus on improving the living conditions and health services in urban informal settlements to combat malnutrition effectively.