Background: Undernutrition is a major determinant of tuberculosis (TB) disease progression and treatment outcomes. Anthropometric indices such as body mass index (BMI) are simple tools to assess nutritional status among TB patients. To assess the anthropometric profile of adult TB patients and explore associations with selected sociodemographic and clinical factors in an urban setting in Western India. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult TB patients registered from January to March 2022 in the East-1 TB Unit, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Anthropometric measurements were obtained during home visits, and BMI was calculated using WHO criteria. Data on sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected through a structured questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and regression analyses. Results: Of 76 participants, 56.6% were undernourished (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), including 21.1% with severe underweight. Mean BMI was 18.61 ± 2.54 kg/m². Undernutrition was more prevalent among males, younger adults, and participants from lower socioeconomic strata. A family history of TB was significantly associated with lower BMI. Conclusion: Undernutrition remains highly prevalent among adult TB patients. Routine nutritional assessment and targeted nutritional support should be integrated into TB control programs to improve outcomes.
Bhagawati et al. (Thu,) studied this question.