The Burden of Malnutrition and Confounders Among Children Aged Between 6 and 60 Months: A Community-Based...

Child nutrition and the poor nutritional status of children remain a major public health challenge in many low-resource settings despite significant efforts by public authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the weight-for-length z-score, the weight-for-height z-score, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as screening standards for severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Despite nutritional deficiencies and anomalies, numerous community-based predictors contribute to the establishment of malnutrition (moderate and severe). The present work will help policymakers and clinicians to look after the determinants of SAM.

The present study aimed to determine the World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards and confounder predictors of moderate and severe acute malnutrition among children aged 6-60 months in a resource-constrained community setting.

A cross-sectional study was performed among children aged 6-60 months within a resource-constrained community setting. The anthropometric measurements were performed using MUAC and weight-for-length z-score and weight-for-height z-score, with values <-3 recommended by the WHO as the standard. Bivariate analysis was used to identify predictive variables and risk factors for severe, acute, and moderate malnutrition.

Of 301 children, 8.97%, 10.96%, and 18.93% presented with severe acute, moderate, and acute malnutrition, respectively, with a higher proportion of male children affected. Bivariate analysis showed that malnutrition (severe acute, moderate, and acute) was significantly associated with gender (OR: 5.321; 95% CI: [2.210, 13.25] and RR: 3.370 95% CI: [1.773, 6.275]. Children from resource-constrained urban households (OR: 2.00; 95% CI: [0.336, 22.16] and RR: 1.867; 95% CI: [0.398, 10.75] were two times more likely to be severely malnourished. Higher odds of SAM were observed among children whose parents used tobacco (OR: 6.508; 95% CI: [1.672,28.47] and RR: 5.565; 95% CI: [1.548,20.95].

The findings of the present study showed that gender, household type, tobacco use by parents, family monthly income, anemia, and the status of antenatal care of women received during pregnancy were the major predictors of severe acute malnutrition. The study was conducted in a resource-constrained region, and to reduce the prevalence and causes of malnutrition, food safety and guarantee schemes should be strictly monitored, along with delivering education and awareness within the community, especially to parents and caregivers.