Determinants of Under-Five Children Body Mass Index in Sudan; Application of Quantile Regression: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: One of the health challenges in Sub-Saharan countries is child malnutrition. Body Mass Index (BMI) can be defined as a measure of nutritional status. Examining the determinants of under-five children’s BMI is a significant subject that needs to be studied. For this study, quantile regression was used to identify the determinants of under-five children's BMI in Sudan.

Methods: We used the 2014 Sudan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics. Quantile regression was used.

Results: Place of residence, state, mother’s educational level, gender, age of the child, and wealth index were an important effect significantly affecting under-five children’s BMI at different quantile levels.

Conclusion: Taking measures on the nutritional status of mothers will accordingly resolve the nutritional status of their children. Therefore, the focus of policymakers should be on the influential significant factors which were found across all quantile levels to plan and develop strategies to enhance the normal or healthy weight status of under-five children in Sudan.