Impact of Birthweight on Behavioural Development in Early Childhood Years: A Comparative Study

Sathya Raj S., Divyashree HR

Abstract: Background: The early childhood years are a crucial period for children's overall development. Behavioural problems are known as deviant in normally accepted behaviours. The behavioural problems among preschoolers are increasing nowadays due to changes happening in the lifestyle, family structure, food, and higher mobile usage. It's been proven that behavioural problems during early childhood years are indicators of later years' emotional well-being, maintaining relationships, academic readiness etc. It is also considered as predictors of difficulties in the later years of life. Early screening and identification of behavioural problems is indispensable for timely intervention. Children attending Anganwadi centres represent a vibrant population for behavioural screening in community settings. Objectives: 1) To assess behavioural problems among Anganwadi children 2) To find the association between demographic variables and behavioural outcome among the samples. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 60 preschool aged 2-4 children attending at selected Anganwadi centres in Mysuru. Behavioural Problems was assessed by using standardized tool Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Demographic data were collected through self-developed questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Frequencies, percentage, chi square were calculated. Results: Majority of LBW (46.7%) children were noticed very high behaviour problem and Majority of NBW (46.7%) NBW children were observed under close to average level of behaviour. This depicts that LBW children are reported to have more behavioural problems than LBW children. The ?2 results for birthweight groups show highly significant p-values (p < 0.001), indicating that the association with level of behavioural problem between LBW and NBW children are statistically significant. Conclusion: Behavioural problems were common among preschool children attending anganawadi centres. Routine behavioural screening within community child care settings may facilitate early identification and early intervention.

Keywords: Behavioural Problems, Early childhood years, Preschool, Anganwadi, SDQ

How to Cite?: Sathya Raj S., Divyashree HR, "Impact of Birthweight on Behavioural Development in Early Childhood Years: A Comparative Study", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 555-559, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26706125238, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26706125238

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