Protein-energy malnutrition and associated variables among Indian pre-school children in a selected area of Natal.

The nutritional status patterns of a sample of 62 male and 64 female Indian pre-school children in an urban area are reported. High figures for malnutrition were obtained on weight-for-age measures, and low figures on height-for-age measures. Intermediate figures for malnutrition were reported on weight-for-height measures. Birth order, family size, sex differences, maternal educational levels and family income were not significant variables. The importance of classification criteria is stressed and proposals of other relevant variables in community malnutrition are presented.