development during these formative years. In the long run, malnutrition decreases the educational achievement, labor productivity, and economic growth of a country. The various risk factors identified for undernutrition are related to the child, mother, and largely their environment. Adequate nutrition during infancy and childhood is fundamental to a child's full developmental potential [1] whereas poor quality of infant and young child feeding practices are the major cause of malnutrition among the under-5 children of any society. [2] As per UNICEF, under-5 mortality rate is the best single indicator of social development and well-being rather than gross national product per capita, as it reflects income, nutrition, health education, and basic education. [3] A study of childhood mortality in the Americas showed that no less than Background: In India, undernutrition remains a major public health problem despite several national programs targeting vulnerable groups, especially children. Objectives: To assess the nutritional status and morbidity profile of under-5 children and to elicit the explanatory and contextual factors of this malady. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among under-5 children in a slum area of Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Anthropometric measurements were made following standard operative procedures and recall period of morbidity profile of last 2 weeks was recorded. Results: Of total 100 under-5 children assessed, the mean (standard deviation) of the sample was 23.52 (15.65) months. About 55% children were found to have anthropometric failure using composite index of anthropometric failure. However, with standard anthropometric indices such as weight for age, weight for height, height for age, and mid upper arm circumference prevalence of malnutrition were 42% (underweight), 30% (wasting), 28% (stunting), and 48% (undernutrition), respectively. About 48% children had some kind of morbidity of which acute respiratory infection accounted for 9%, diarrhea 11%, fever 9%, and skin infection 6%. Age [OR = 5.17 (2.09-12.76)], family type [
