Assessment of nutritional indices in children and its relation with some factors in Abadan-Iran

Author(s): Mitra Tadayon, Fariba Khavayet*, Parvin Abedi, Amal Saki Malehi

Abstract

The prevalence of malnutrition and weight problems in children and their consequences in the world have become a major health problem. Therefore, identifying the children’s’ nutritional status is a critical step to ensure optimal growth and development in children. The purpose of this study was assessing prevalence of malnutrition and its related factors among 3-5 years’ children in Abadan in, 2015-2016. The current study is a cross-sectional study which was conducted on 500 children. Samples were selected from 9 health clinics in the Abadan, Iran. Data were collected using interviews with mothers, filling out questionnaires and measuring children’s height and weight and calculating their BMI. Also BMI of mother measured. Data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square test. The results showed that the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity were15.2%, 6.8 % and 5.8 % in children in Abadan. Malnutrition had relation with child’s appetite and socioeconomic status (P<0.05). This study showed that malnutrition is a problem in children in this city among children 3-5 years old. Considering to results obtained from this study, the most important related factors was child’s appetite, socioeconomic status. Therefore, the health policy, makers should pay attention to raise awareness, socioeconomic status and family health promotion to improve nutritional status of children.

10.21746/ijbio.2016.02.004

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