TABLE 1.
Characteristics of the study population
| Characteristic | Study children (N = 300) |
|---|---|
| Age and gender distribution in the study population | |
| Age, years, mean ± SD | 11.74 ± 2.45 |
| 6–9 years, n (%) | 54 (18.00) |
| 10–13 years, n (%) | 174 (58.00) |
| 14–17 years, n (%) | 72 (24.00) |
| Girls, n (%) | 165 (55.00) |
| Boys, n (%) | 135 (45.00) |
| Anthropometry of study children | |
| Weight, kg, mean ± SD | 33.39 ± 10.78 |
| Height, cm, mean ± SD | 141.51 ± 14.72 |
| Stunted (HAZ <−2 to <−3), n (%) | 43 (14.33) |
| Thin (BAZ <−2 to −3), n (%) | 53 (17.67) |
| Overweight/obese (BAZ >+1), n (%) | 15 (5.00) |
| Religion and community, n (%) | |
| Hindus | 251 (84.51) |
| Muslims and others | 46 (15.49) |
| Scheduled caste and scheduled tribes | 146 (49.16) |
| Backward caste and others communities | 151 (50.84) |
| Family income per month, n (%) | |
| High income (≥ INR 16,722) or (≥ USD 220.03) | 101 (34.01) |
| Middle income (INR 10,840–INR 16,722) or (USD 142.63 ‐ USD 220.02) | 98 (33.00) |
| Low income (< INR 10,840) or (< USD 142.63) | 98 (33.00) |
| Level of education and occupation of parents, n (%) | |
| Mother—uneducated | 197 (65.70) |
| Mother—primary education (1st to 5th standard) | 40 (13.30) |
| Mother—upper primary education & above (6th standard and above) | 63 (21.00) |
| Father—uneducated | 142 (47.30) |
| Father—primary education (1st to 5th standard) | 56 (18.70) |
| Father—upper primary education & above (6th standard and above) | 102 (34.00) |
| Mother—homemaker | 60 (20.55) |
| Mother—housemaid or daily wage labour | 194 (66.44) |
| Mother—service, business or other occupation | 38 (13.01) |
| Father—daily wage labour | 212 (80.30) |
| Father—service, business or other occupation | 52 (19.70) |
| Household facilities, n (%) | |
| Ownership of house | 167 (56.23) |
| Presence of separate kitchen | 151 (50.84) |
| Access to improved non‐solid cooking fuel | 279 (93.94) |
| Presence of electricity | 296 (99.66) |
| Access to improved source of drinking water | 281 (94.61) |
| Access to improved toilet facility | 277 (93.27) |
Note: Values are n (%) or mean ± SD.
Abbreviations: BAZ, body mass index for age z score; HAZ, height for age z score; INR, Indian Rupee; SD, standard deviation; USD, United States Dollar.