The Hidden Deficit: A Pilot Study Evaluating the Utility of the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) and Its Discrepancy with Traditional Measures among Children Aged 6 Years Under in Rural Karnataka

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Malnutrition remains a critical public health challenge in rural India, requiring assessment tools to guide intervention. The traditional Weight-for-Age (Wt-for-Age) index often substantially underestimates, the true burden of nutritional deficit. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the operational utility of the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) and quantify the discrepancy in prevalence estimates between CIAF and the traditional Wt-for-Age classification in a community setting.
Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional pilot study conducted in an Anganwadi center in Harohalli, Ramanagara district, Karnataka, during November 2025. A total of N=30 children aged 0-6 years were included via census sampling. Anthropometric measurements were taken following WHO standards to calculate Z-scores for Wt/Age, Ht/Age, and Wt/Ht. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 23. Descriptive Statistics were used to calculate prevalence, and the Chi-square test was employed to examine the association between the CIAF groupings and Wt-for-Age status.