Author(s): Dr. Renu Kumari and Kumari Nandita

Abstract:
A large part of this migrating population lives in slums under inhuman conditions; as a result, urban poverty and hunger are increasing in many developing countries, especially in India. Ignorance and difficult conditions of healthy living in slums are more likely to result in improper food habits, low access to health care and lack of hygiene awareness and knowledge of the origins of disease and proper treatment. Malnutrition among school-age children is becoming a major public health concern globally, especially in India, as children are the future of any country. The development of any child is the most important indicator of health, which is influenced and measured by adequate intake of food and nutrients and decreased susceptibility to disease. A total of 200 children (Age group – 6 -12 years) who were residing in different areas of Trilokpuri were selected from Nigam Prathmic Bal Vidhyalaya and Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya Kalyanpuri, for study through systematically random sampling. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Information about socio-economic details, body height (cm), weight (kg) collected. Malnutrition was calculated with the help of WHO AnthroPlus software, developed by WHO in 2007. At present, the nutritional condition of children in India is much poor than many other Asian country, and same situation is visible in children residing in slums of Trilokpuri of Delhi. The nutritional condition of both boys and girls was found very poor, but it is also remarkable that girls showed better degree of nutritional status than boys. Study also find that the most of the children have many siblings, insufficient income and many members in a family also lead to unhealthy life style which is the main cause of the malnutrition.