Socio-economic condition, dietary pattern and nutritional status of pre-school ethnic children in Bandarban district of Bangladesh

Abstract

Nutrition is a foundation to ensure good health. The geographic and demographic factors affect food and nutrition. This study focuses socio-economic condition, dietary pattern and nutritional profile of preschool ethnic children at a single point in a specified time in sadarupazila of Bandarban district. This area was conveniently selected to collect sample. Sample was collected by visiting door to door. The dietary energy intake was determined by three days 24hours recall method. Statistical Package for Social Sciences 22.0 version was used for data analysis. Nutritional status was determined by ENA for SMART - Software. Mean age of the children was 4.21±0.80years. Most of the parents completed primary education. Father of the children was day labor and mother were housewife. Average monthly family income was 10316.53±10013.97 BDT. Average weight and height of children was16.18kg weight and 97.45cm height. Normal and underweight ethnic children were 84.80% and 15.20%. Distribution of normal and stunted children were 62.80% and 37.20%. About 8.60% children were wasted. Average calorie intake was 1037.33kcal per day. Protein, carbohydrate and fat intake were 30.39gm, 175.78gm and 21.31gm respectively. Statistically significant association was found between condition of latrine and child nutritional status (HAZ) (p=0.010<0.05). Statistically significant association was found between source of drinking water and ethnic children nutritional status (WAZ) (p=0.045<0.05). Statistically significant association was found between immunization status and ethnic children nutritional status (WAZ, WHZ) (p=0.004<0.05, p=0.015<0.05). Statistically significant association was found between deworming status and ethnic children nutritional status (WAZ) (p=0.004<0.05). There was positive correlation between nutritional status (HAZ) of ethnic children and monthly family income and it is statistically significant (p=0.024<0.05). This research findings will be helpful for policy maker and planner to develop new plan and strategy to combat under nutrition.