Association between feeding patterns and nutritional status of the under five children (6-59 months) in Mtwara Rural District, Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
D. Nicodemas ◽  
L.W.T. Fweja ◽  
S.H. Magoha

This study was conducted to determine the association between feeding pattern and nutritional status of the under-five children in Mtwara rural district. Nutritional assessment information was collected using three survey tools: food frequency survey, 24 hours diet survey and anthropometric assessment survey. Anthropometric measures of weight and height were used to assess the nutritional status and WHO Anthro Plus was used to compute the anthropometric data to obtain Height for Age Z-score, Weight for Age Z-score and Weight for Height Z-score. The questionnaire was administered to mothers / caregivers of 329 children aged 6 -59 months.  The children’s feeding patterns were determined using the 24-hour dietary recall.  Dietary diversity score was computed to understand the quality of the diet consumed by the children. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.0 using descriptive statistics. Chi-square was used to determine the association between nutrition status and the independent variables including gender. The findings indicated 41% stunting rate, 18.8% underweight and 7.3% wasting implying poor nutrition. The cassava feeding frequencies varied among households and between and within the two children age groups, (6 – 10 months) and (11-59 months). Overall 87.23% of children (6-59 months) had a feeding frequency of 2 days, 3 days or 6 days in a week. The dietary diversity indicated an average IDDS of 2.5 implying poor diversity of consumed food groups which was similarly far below the target IDDS of 5 established for this study. The results however indicated no significant association (p ≥ 0.05) between cassava consumption pattern and prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight and also between gender and nutrition status. The high prevalence rate of malnutrition could thus be attributed to a synergistic effect of several factors.

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-201
Author(s):  
DIANA NICODEMAS ◽  
LEONARD WILLIAM TUNGARAZA FWEJA ◽  
HAPPY STEVEN MAGOHA

This study aimed at evaluating the contribution of cassava recipe in meeting Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of the under five children for the selected nutrients (protein, fat, iron and zinc) in Mtwara rural district. This was achieved by identifying the common cassava recipes and the consumption pattern by using a 24h dietary recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Proximate composition, mineral contents and anti-nutrients (cyanide and phytate contents) were also determined. The rate of consumption of a child was computed based on food portion and consumption frequency in a day. The sufficiency of nutrient of cassava recipes was determined on the basis of the quantity of food eaten per day. Computed nutrient intake was evaluated against the RDA of respective nutrient for respective age category. The findings indicate that the contribution of cassava to the RDAs of the respective nutrients were 19.4% for iron, 21% for zinc, 0.527% for fat and 4.26% for protein among the under five children which is extremely low. The anti-nutrient (phytate) content was far above the tolerable level of 25 mg/100g but cyanide was within the acceptable level. The computed Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS) of 2.5 was similarly far below the target IDDS of 5. This implies an extremely poor dietary diversity indicative of very low consumption of food varieties including those of animal origin. It is thus important to develop strategies which encourage and make easy for dietary diversification among community members in order to complement cassava based recipes with readily available foods rich in macro and micronutrients. The strategy should also consider dietary practices such as control of intake of inhibitors e.g. of iron absorption and increase intake of enhancers of absorption in a given meal. These strategies can also include cassava recipe supplementation and fortification.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-60
Author(s):  
Imru Al Quais Chowdhury

Introduction: Nutritional status of children is one of the major predictors of child survivors and a proxy indicator for assessing the entire population health status. Despite the various efforts, malnutrition among children is remaining as a major public health problem in Bangladesh. Maternal employment status exerts strong influence over child nutrition status. Aim: To find out the effect of maternal employment on nutritional status of 0-59 month-old children attending Malabika CWC at Dhaka Cantonment. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at ‘Malabika’ Child Welfare Centre at Dhaka Cantonment from 01 March 2012 to 30 June 2012. A total of 110 children were selected conveniently. Data were collected from mothers by face to face interview and analyzed by SPSS 19. Association was assessed with Chi square test. The prevalence of malnutrition assessed by different indices of nutritional status based on Weight for Age Z-score, Height for Age Z-score and Weight for Height Z –Score following the WHO and NCHS guidelines and cut-off points. Results: The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting was found to be 61.4%, 56.3% and 61.3% among the children of employed mother respectively. These all 3 prevalence are higher than the children of unemployed mothers. The association between nutritional status of under-five children of employed and non-employed mothers was found statistically significant (p<0.05). Nutritional status of employed mothers ’children were found worsen than unemployed mothers’ children. Conclusion: This study provides an account of still high prevalence of malnutrition which trade-off between mothers’ employment and children’s nutritional status. Addressing factors like family size, duration of breast feeding, empowering women, monthly family income, mothers’ education are key efforts to reduce child’s malnutrition. JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 15, No 1 (June) 2020: 58-60


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-53
Author(s):  
Uma Devi Chhetri ◽  
Sujan Sayami ◽  
Prabha Mainali

Introduction: There has been a decreasing trend in malnutrition (stunting, wasting, and under-weight) in Nepal from 2001 till 2016 according to Nepal demographic health survey 2016. We tried to study whether these national survey data equally reflect the nutritional status of children visiting hospitals in the capital city of our country. The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional status of children less than five years of age brought to a hospital in Kathmandu. Methods: Anthropometric measurements (height/length and weight), other demographic details, and morbidity of all children, six months to five years of age, visiting the hospital over the period of three months were collected from the out-patient register. Height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age were calculated and expressed as standard deviation units as compared to the median of reference data taken from WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group (2007). Association between morbidity and various anthropometric values were calculated. Results: A total of 424 children were included in the study. There were 2.1% severely stunted, 8% stunted, 2.8% tall, and 1.7% very tall children. Similarly, 6.4% were severely wasted, 14.4% wasted, 4.7% severely under-weight, and 12.3% under-weight. The anthropometric values were significantly associated with morbidity (acute Vs chronic) but not associated with whether they were from within Kathmandu or form outside, and individual morbidity. Conclusion: Wasting and severe wasting in under five children from and nearby Kathmandu of Nepal is higher while stunting and severe stunting is lower as compared to previous National reports.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Md Hasib ◽  
Md. Nazmul Hassan ◽  
Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan

The extent of nutritional status affecting Rohingya refugee under-five children has become a major health issues in Bangladesh. This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status and its effect on under-five Rohingya children in comparison with the areas of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study of 300 under-five children were conducted by structured questionnaire from Rohingya camp (100), Cox’s Bazar (100) and Dumki (100) applying simple random method. Anthropometric indices (weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)) were measured in children aged 6-59 months. Indices were reported in z-scores and compared with WHO 2005 reference population. Data were analyzed by WHO Anthro-Plus Software and SPSS. About 41% Rohingya, 43% surrounding areas, and 46% Dumki were stunting in height-for-age z-score (HAZ) score respectively. Near about 13%, 11% and 4% were wasting in weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) score and 18%, 15% and 10% were underweight in weight for age Z-score (WAZ) score respectively. Food groups, Disease, worm infestation among 3 study areas were statistically significant (P&lt; .05). Moreover, handwashing practice, vitamin-A consumption and worm infestation effects among diseases were statistically significant. In this study population, there was high prevalence of malnutrition among Rohingya children, especially wasting and underweight compared to other areas. Prevention of malnutrition plays an important role for having a healthy society of Rohingya Refugees.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-65
Author(s):  
S.B. Mada ◽  
K.D. Bawa ◽  
M.A. Saliu ◽  
A. Garba ◽  
M.M. Abarshi ◽  
...  

Malnutrition is a major health problem worldwide and causes about 2.3 million deaths among under-5 children in low- and middle-income countries annually including Nigeria. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the nutritional status of under-five children (0-59 months) and associated factors in Danko-Wasagu. The socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence of childhood  diseases, anthropometric parameters and dietary pattern of the children were evaluated. The results indicated that 54.8% of the caregivers are young adults within 20 to 24 years of age with 41.7% having two living children. In addition, 58% of the caregivers have monthly family income below ₦20,000 with no any formal education. The Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and Weight-for-Height (WFH) indices indicated that none of the children had Severe-Acute-Malnutrition (SAM). However, there was 65.5% prevalence of diarrhea, 45.2% with dermatitis and 25.0% with acute respiratory infections. In addition, stunting, underweight and wasting among the children investigated were 72.7%, 29.8% and 11.9% respectively. Consumption of cereals based diet by the children was 92.7% while 28.6% and 31.0% of the children met the minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency respectively. Caregiver’s age was observed to associate significantly (p<0.05) with wasting, underweight and stunting among the children. Altogether, the presentstudy demonstrated a high prevalence of chronic malnutrition and childhood diseases even though without any case of SAM in the study area. Keywords: Malnutrition, Nutritional status, Under-five-children, Childhood diseases, Dietary pattern


Author(s):  
Anthony Ekpo ◽  
Waheed Babatunde Yahya

Background and aim: In this paper, we present results regarding the outcomes of some anthropometric, epidemiological and demographic factors on the nutritional status of the under-five children which were categorized into three ordinal groups of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in Kazaure Local Government Area in Nigeria. Methods: An ordinal logistic model that depicted the log-odds in favour of GAM (normal) child was fitted to the data based on surveillance indexed by Weight-For-Height (WFH). Results:The results showed that the proportional odd of measuring the nutritional status of a child in a nutrition survey using the WFH index has the OR= 7.43 (95% CI, 4.717 to 11.705) times greater, with Wald (1) 2  =74.81, p<0.001, hence a statistically significant effect. Conclusion: Based on the results and summary of findings, it can be concluded that age is a major predictor of the nutrition status of a child in a nutritional study when the surveillance is based on WFH index unlike sex and measles that do not play a major role.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-99
Author(s):  
Nasrin Sultana ◽  
Sumon Chandra Debnath ◽  
Rifat Sultana ◽  
Shamina Akter ◽  
Dewan Shahida Banu ◽  
...  

Introduction: Malnutrition is referred to as the greatest single threat to the world’s public health, especially for the developing countries. Childhood malnutrition is linked to slower cognitive development and serious health impairments later in life that reduce the quality of life of individuals. Nutritional status is determined anthropometrically and is a significant determinant of various types of morbidity and is associated with an increased risk of death from acute respiratory infection, diarrhoea, measles and few other infectious diseases. Objective: To assess nutritional status and disease profile of under five children in a rural area of Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 children with age between 1 to 59 months who were selected purposively. Two hundred five data were collected by interviewing the mothers of the children and also by reviewing the documents using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and checklist. Nutritional status was assessed using WHO recommended Z-score category and Mid Upper Arm Circumference measurement. Results: Out of 205 children, more than half (57.6%) were girls and the rest of them were boys. About two-third of the children were aged between 25 and 59 months. Maximum (40.5%) mothers of the children had a background of secondary educational status and most of them (90.2%) were housewives. More than one-third (36.1%) of the respondents belong to families haveing monthly income between Tk. 5001 and 10,000 and the average income was Tk.14,544. About onethird (33.5%) of the children were stunted in Height for Age Z score. While 9.7% were moderately wasted and 1.5% were severely wasted in Weight for Height Z score. 3.8% of the children were severely underweight and 70.8% of the children’s weight was within the normal limit for their age. By Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurement, about 20.0% were of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and 1.1% were of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Among the associated morbidities, diarrhoeal disease had highest prevalence (45%) followed by respiratory tract infection (38%) and pneumonia (18%). Conclusion: Under five children are the vulnerable segment of the population. The result demonstrates a high prevalence of malnutrition (especially stunting) among under five children in the study area. Considering the acute and long-term consequences of malnutrition, interventions aiming at reducing child malnutrition in such a population should focus on all the children of less than 5 years of age. Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.12(1) 2016: 94-99  


Author(s):  
Tsegahun Worku Brhanie

The objective of this study was to estimate undernutrition determinants among under-five children in Ethiopia. Multiple logistic regression was computed to estimate explanatory variables. P-value < 0.05, 95% CI and odds ratio (OR) were considered. The analysis was done using SPSS, version 24. There was an association between distances from the borders and out of the borders with height for age Z score (P-value <0.05), but not associated with weight for height Z score (P value=0.18), and weight for age Z score (P value=0.16). Education of mother (P-value < 0.05), nutrition status of mothers (P-value <0.05), the wealth index of the households (P-value <0.05), employment status of mothers (P-value <0.05), place of residence (P-value < 0.05), age of the child (P-value <0.05), birth intervals (P-value < 0.05) and breastfeeding (P-value <0.05), were determinant factors for the stunting of children. Wealth index, region and place of residence, age of the child, the size of the child at birth, nutrition and employment status of the mothers, a birth interval of the child, and breastfeeding status of the child were the determinant factors.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akim Tafadzwa Lukwa ◽  
Aggrey Siya ◽  
Karen Nelwin Zablon ◽  
James Azam ◽  
Olufunke A. Alaba

Abstract BackgroundFood insecurity and malnutrition in children are pervasive public health concerns in Zimbabwe. Previous studies only identified determinants of food insecurity and malnutrition with very little efforts done in assessing related inequalities and decomposing the inequalities across household characteristics in Zimbabwe. This study explored socioeconomic inequalities trend in child health using regression decomposition approach to compare within and between group inequalities.MethodsThe study used Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data sets of 2010\11 and 2015. Food insecurity in under-five children was determined based on the WHO dietary diversity score. Minimum dietary diversity was defined by a cut- off point of >4 therefore, children with less than 3 of the 13 food groups were defined as food insecure. Malnutrition was assessed using weight for age (both acute and chronic under-nutrition) Z-scores. Children whose weight-for-age Z-score below minus two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median were considered malnourished. Concentration curves and indices were computed to understand if malnutrition was dominant among the poor or rich. The study used the Theil index and decomposed the index by population subgroups (place of residence and socioeconomic status).ResultsOver the study period, malnutrition prevalence increased by 1.03 percentage points, while food insecurity prevalence decreased by 4.35 percentage points. Prevalence of malnutrition and food insecurity increased among poor rural children. Theil indices for nutrition status showed socioeconomic inequality gaps to have widened, while food security status socioeconomic inequality gaps contracted for the period under review.ConclusionThe study concluded that unequal distribution of household wealth and residence status played critical roles in driving socioeconomic inequalities in child food insecurity and malnutrition. Therefore, child food insecurity and malnutrition are greatly influenced by where a child lives (rural/urban) and parental wealth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Miriam Ndava ◽  
Lovemore Musemwa ◽  
Simbarashe Ndhleve ◽  
Leocadia Zhou

Despite multiple efforts to combat malnutrition of children in Zimbabwe, levels of stunting still fall short of the acceptable target of 20% by UNICEF. Malnutrition at an early age could result in irreversible damage and other far-reaching consequences such as diminished learning and school performance. Thus, this study investigated the factors affecting nutritional status and academic performance of Early Childhood Education under five years children. Nutritional status was determined using the Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and academic performance using basic shapes and colours. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data from 216 under-five children, teachers and parents or guardians of the children in Harare and Mashonaland East Provinces of Zimbabwe. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, frequencies and chi-square test of independence using SPSS version 23. The results showed that academic performance score for urban and rural children were 82.94% and 73.81% respectively. The average MUAC was 15.8 cm for urban and 15.7cm for rural. Academic performance and nutritional status of the ECD child were both significantly related to location of school, ECD grade, value of assets owned and years of schooling of household head. Nutrition status was also affected by marital status of the household head, relationship between the household head and the ECD child, household dietary diversity and residence ownership. Academic performance of ECD children was significantly related to the age of ECD child, distance to school and ECD child household’s size, dietary diversity, income sources and total monthly income. Concentric efforts among all stakeholders aimed at reducing distance that children travel to school, improving household income and dietary diversity could reduce the incidence of malnutrition and improve children’s academic performance.   Received: 31 August 2021 / Accepted: 1 October 2021 / Published: 5 November 2021


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