Prevalence and Its Related Factors of Undernutrition among Under 5-Year-Old Children, Fars, Iran 2017-2018

Seyedeh-Masomeh  Derakhshandeh-Rishehri; Azam  Farmani; Mina  Zarmehrparirouy; Abdolrasool  Hemmati; Shiva  Faghih; Razieh  Shenavar

doi:10.18502/jnfs.v8i2.12592

Seyedeh-Masomeh Derakhshandeh-Rishehri DONALD Study Dortmund, Department of Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (IEL), University of Bonn, Dortmund, Germany
Azam Farmani Department of Community Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
Mina Zarmehrparirouy School of Paramedical Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abdolrasool Hemmati Vice Chancellor of Health Assistance, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
Shiva Faghih Department of Community Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
Razieh Shenavar Department of Community Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jnfs.v8i2.12592

Keywords: Malnutrition; Children; Multilevel models

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and related factors of under-nutrition among under 5-year-old children in Fars province, Iran.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2017-2018 in Fars province of Iran. The study consisted of 606 children (0-59 months) from 13 regions of Fars province. A structured questionnaire collected the data, and under-nutrition indices, including stunting, wasting, and underweight, were investigated by the mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression model.

Results: The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting were 2%, 4%, and 4.1%, respectively. Low birth weight was a risk factor for three undernutrition indices (P < 0.001; P < 0.001; and P = 0.004). Urban children were significantly more underweight and wasted than rural children (P = 0.001; and P = 0.002, respectively). Under-nutrition rates were impressed by the family size, mother's education, and father's occupation.

Conclusion: The prevalence of undernutrition in children can be reduced by identifying and controlling significant factors, including birth weight, maternal education, type of settlement, family size, and father's occupation.