Nutritional Status Of Children Research Articles

Household Food Insecurity and Its Association with Nutritional Status of Children 6–59 Months of Age in Kebridehar City

Malnutrition, characterized by an imbalance in the intake of calories, proteins, or other nutrients, includes undernutrition and overnutrition. This study aimed to assess the impact of household food insecurity on the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 59 months in Kebridehar town using a community-based cross-sectional approach. The city of Kebridehar was divided into 12 kebeles and the study targeted families with children in the specified age group. A proportional sample of 344 households was randomly selected from each kebele. Data were collected through surveys and analyzed to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and its effects on children's nutrition.Results: The study revealed significant disparities in food security: 11.6% of households were food secure, while 88.4% were food insecure. Female-headed homes had a lower percentage of impoverished children and the mother's education had a vital influence. Low- and middle-income households had a larger risk of childhood loss than higher-income ones. Smaller families were 15.76 times more likely to suffer food insecurity and homes without health services were 3.27 times higher potential to be food insecure. Children from insecure food families have poorer health outcomes, being 4.95 times more likely to be underweight, 1.30 times more likely to be stunted, and 1.45 times more likely to be wasted.Conclusion: The study highlights an important problem of food insecurity that affects the health of children. Factors such as the woman's family, the mother's education level, low income and family size are crucial. Urgent interventions are necessary to improve food security and nutritional outcomes, especially for families with low income, less education, and poor sanitation.

Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nutritional status of infants and toddlers: insights from China.

A comprehensive understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on childhood nutrition is crucial for devising effective mitigation strategies. However, existing knowledge regarding the pandemic's effect on childhood nutritional status remains limited. Furthermore, research focusing on young children aged 0-3years is scarce. Leveraging the outbreak that originated in Wuhan in Dec 2019, the epicenter of China's first and largest outbreak, and national survey and statistical yearbook data, this study conducted a natural experimental analysis with the consideration of geographical exposure, temporal exposure and survey cohort effects to investigate the pandemic's impacts on varying nutritional indicators of infants and toddlers aged 0-36months. A comprehensive set of sensitivity analyses, robustness checks and falsification tests were conducted. The potential heterogeneities across socioeconomic and age groups were also examined. The pandemic was robustly predictive of a higher weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) and length/height-for-age z-score (HAZ), and a lower likelihood of underweight. The effects of the pandemic on increasing WAZ and reducing underweight were more pronounced among children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or aged 0-12months. Additionally, the increasing HAZ was primarily among children from households with lower family income. Moreover, the pandemic was negatively linked to the body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-score (BAZ) of children residing in more developed cities, and positively linked to overweight/obesity among children aged 13-24months. This study adds to a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on childhood nutrition. Notably, the findings highlight that weight gain attributable to the pandemic was predominantly among vulnerable children from disadvantaged backgrounds and younger age groups, who were already at a higher risk of overweight/obesity before the pandemic. Consequently, our findings imply the necessity of greater caution to the widened gap in childhood malnutrition post-pandemic. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of implementing adaptable strategies with the consideration of social justice to safeguard all children's right to optimal growth from exogenous shocks and to achieve the children-related SDGs by 2030.

Nutritional Status of Children Attending Basic Schools Providing Mid-Day Meal A Comparative Study

World Health Organization has stated malnutrition as a condition where there is deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in an individual's energy and/or nutrient consumption. In Nepal, the government school is mandatory to provide MDM to students up to basic school level. Education system consists of one year of pre-primary to grade 8 known as basic schools. This study aimed to find out the nutritional status of schoolchildren attending basic schools in rural and urban municipalities providing and comparing between those children having midday meal in school with those who are not having. .A cross - sectional, analytical study was designed, multistage sampling techniques were used , where the lottery method was used for the selection of municipalities and schools and simple random sampling technique for the selection of students by using a table of random numbers. A total 276 students were selected of both genders. Data collecting included of anthropometric measurement and structured questionnaire of dietary habit. Among 276 students mean age was 7.76  3.229. MUAC of aged 3-8 years was 14.84  1.35 and BMI of aged above 8 years old was 14.98  2.50. Among them 50.4% were male. 4.3% among 3-5 years group presented with SAM. Age and sex was significantly associated with nutritional status p-value 0.007 and 0.008 respectively. Both parents’ education was associated with Nutritional status of child (p-value 0.001). Children not having MDM in school are more vulnerable of malnutrition (p-value 0.015). MDM is more significant for malnutrition (AOR: 0.364 CI: 0.139- 0.953, p-value 0.41). Nutritional status of those not having MDM in schools are likely to have malnutrition by 1.913times than those having MDM provided by schools (CI: 0.867-4.22, p-value 0.002). The prevalence of malnutrition is significantly associated with parents’ education, consumption of EDNP, and MDM provided by schools.

From subsidies to nutrition: Investigating effects among cohort children from the Subsidy Reinvestment programme in Nigeria

This study investigates the effect of a nationwide maternal health programme that targets both demand- and supply-side factors on the nutritional status of children under five years old whose mothers were potentially exposed to the programme. We employed a difference-in-differences approach by matching programme beneficiary facilities to the districts and communities where households reside. The data are drawn from the 2008, 2013, and 2018 rounds of Nigeria's Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), comprising responses for approximately 120,000 children. Our findings reveal a significant increase in child dietary diversity, particularly in districts with two beneficiary facilities, suggesting stronger effects with expansive programme implementation. Additionally, we observed positive effects on children's consumption of various nutritious foods for those children in districts with two beneficiary facilities. This study investigates a potential mechanism by which expanding access to healthcare facilities, through funding two clinics per district, may contribute to improved child dietary diversity. Our findings suggest that, unlike districts with one beneficiary facility, those with two funded clinics have a higher likelihood of women engaging in work outside the home and earning cash for it. As shown in the analysis, this mechanism is likely due to easier access to health facilities and better contact with health officers, which facilitate quicker reintegration into the labour market for mothers after childbirth and, in turn, could lead to better maternal earnings and potentially enable a more diverse diet for children. The findings suggest that SURE-P's expansive implementation strengthens child nutrition outcomes and supports maternal economic empowerment. In areas with multiple SURE-P facilities, increased access to healthcare enables mothers to reintegrate into the labor market more quickly, facilitating cash income and fostering a reinforcing cycle of improved child dietary diversity and economic benefits for families. This highlights the potential of scaling such programs to maximize both health and economic outcomes in similar contexts.

Adverse food reactions and alterations in nutritional status in children with autism spectrum disorders: results of the NAFRA project

BackgroundTo assess the adverse food reactions (AFR) prevalence in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and in non-ASD healthy controls (NASD). Nutritional status alterations, food selectivity and adherence to Mediterranean Diet (MD) were also evaluated.MethodsThe NAFRA (Nutritional status and Adverse Food Reactions in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder) project was an observational, case-control, comparative study conducted at a tertriary center for pediatrics involving Caucasian patients of both sexes, aged 18 months-7 years, with a diagnosis of ASD, and matched NASD controls.ResultsFrom October 2017 to December 2023, 100 ASD patients [79 male, mean (± SD) age 49.9 months (± 15.4)] and 100 NASD controls [75 male, mean (± SD) age 49.8 months (± 17.7)] were enrolled at the Pediatric Section of the Department of Translational Medical Science of the University of Naples Federico II. A significantly higher prevalence of AFR was observed in ASD patients if compared with NASD (16% vs. 2%, p = 0.001), mainly due to a higher prevalence of food allergy (7% vs. 1%, p = 0.03). A significantly higher prevalence of food intolerance and celiac disease was also observed in ASD children. The rate of obesity was significantly higher in ASD patients compared to NASD. Food selectivity and low MD-adherence were more frequent in ASD children (26% vs. 2%, p < 0.0001 and 28% vs. 16%, p = 0.041, respectively).ConclusionsThe high rate of AFR, obesity and unhealthy dietary habits observed in ASD children strongly suggest the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, providing early diagnosis of AFR and appropriate nutritional management to improve core and associated ASD-related conditions.Trial registrationThe NAFRA Project was registered on https://clinicaltrials.gov/ with the identifier NCT04719923. Registered 18 January 2021. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04719923.

Iodine nutrition status of children 3-13 years of age in areas with high groundwater iodine content in China

BackgroundAdequate iodine status is crucial for children's health and normal development. However, there is a paucity of research on the iodine status of children from areas with high groundwater iodine content. ObjectivesTo monitor the iodine status of children in Shandong, China (regions primarily characterized by high iodine concentrations in groundwater) and to describe the factors influencing children's iodine status. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from 2013 to 2023 on 3,253 children aged 3-13 years. We collected drinking water, spot urine, and 24-hour urine samples from children to assess their iodine status (measuring drinking water iodine concentration (WIC), water iodine intake (WII), urine iodine concentration (UIC), 24-hour urine iodine excretion (24-h UIE), daily iodine intake (DII), etc.), and analyzed influencing factors. ResultsThe median WIC for children was 183 (IQR: 70.2, 362) μg/L, and the median spot UIC was 428 (IQR: 194, 737) μg/L, surpassing the WHO cutoff (300 μg/L). Children at risk of iodine excess numbered 1750 (61.8%). Approximately 61% of iodine intake came from drinking water. Boys had significantly higher iodine intake than girls (P < 0.001). Children's age showed positive correlations with spot UIC, 24-h UIC, and 24-h UIE. There were no significant differences in 24-h UIC and 24-h UIE among children with different BMIs. The logistic regression model revealed that the risk of iodine excess was increased by boy gender, increment in age (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08), and every 10 μg (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.04) or 50 μg (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.22) increment in WII. ConclusionChildren in areas with high groundwater iodine content are at a risk of iodine excess. As age increases, the risk of iodine excess in children rises, with boys at a higher risk than girls.

Analysis Of The Quality Of Family Planning (Kb) Health Services On Children's Nutritional Status At Sigambal Public Health Center, Rantau Selatan District, Labuhanbatu Regency

Background: Family planning services play an important role in supporting reproductive health and family well-being, especially in ensuring adequate nutrition for children. Objectives: to investigate the relationship between the quality of family planning (FP) health services and children's nutritional status at the Sigambal Health Center, Rantau Selatan District, Labuhanbatu Regency. Research method: structured interviews with mothers who participated in the family planning program and anthropometric measurements of their children.Results: there was a significant relationship between the quality of family planning services and children's nutritional status. High-quality family planning services have a positive impact on children's nutritional outcomes, as evidenced by improvements in weight and height indicators according to WHO standards. Factors determining service quality include the availability of contraception, the expertise of health workers, and community involvement in family planning initiatives.Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of improving family planning services by ensuring adequate resources, ongoing training for health personnel, and encouraging community participation. These efforts are critical to improving children's nutritional status in the region

Associations of Maternal Nutritional Status and Supplementation with Fetal, Newborn, and Infant Outcomes in Low-Income and Middle-Income Settings: An Overview of Reviews.

Despite advances in maternal nutritional knowledge, the effect of maternal diet, micronutrient status and undernutrition, and the effect of maternal supplementation on fetal, neonatal and infant outcomes still have gaps in the literature. This overview of reviews is intended to assess the available information on these issues and identify the main maternal nutritional factors associated with offspring outcomes in low- and middle-income countries as possible targets for public health interventions. The literature search was performed in Medline (PubMed) and Cochrane Library datasets in June 2024. Pre-specified outcomes in offspring were pooled using standard meta-analytical methods. We found consistent evidence on the impact of maternal undernutrition indicated by low body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and stature, but not of individual micronutrient status, on intrauterine-growth retardation, preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age, with research showing a possible effect of maternal undernutrition in later child nutritional status. Studies on micronutrient supplementation showed possible beneficial effects of iron, vitamin D, and multiple micronutrients on birthweight and/or decreasing small for gestational age, as well as a possible effect of calcium on preterm birth reduction. Interventions showing more consistent beneficial outcomes were balanced protein-energy and lipid base supplements, which demonstrated improved weight in newborns from supplemented mothers and a decreased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Further research is needed to identify the benefits and risks of maternal individual micronutrient supplementation on neonatal and further child outcomes.

Identification Of Nutritional Status In Children Under Five Based On The Weight/Height Index With Screening Of Delivery Outcome History

Latar Belakang: Prevalensi malnutrisi pada anak balita secara global dan nasional masih tinggi. Secara nasional prevalensi stunting mencapai 30,79%, wasting 10,2%, underweight 17,7%, overweight 8,0% dan menurun ditahun 2022 menjadi 21,6% (stunting), 7,7% (wasting), 17,1% (underweight) dan 3,5% (overweight). Kasusnya ditemukan lebih banyak di kabupaten Pesawaran, Provinsi Lampung yaitu 25,1% (stunting), 9,4% (wasting), 20,6% (underweight). Angka ini masih jauh dari target Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Nasional (RPJMN) bidang kesehatan 2020-2024 dengan target 14% (stunting) dan 7% (wasting). Kabupaten Pesawaran menduduki posisi pertama dengan kasus wasting terbanyak.Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat hubungan riwayat luaran persalinan yaitu usia kehamilan dan berat badan lahir dengan status gizi anak balita berdasarkan indeks Berat Badan/Tinggi Badan (BB/TB).Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian observasional analitik dengan pendekatan cross-sectional. Variable independen yang diteliti pada penelitian ini adalah riwayat luaran persalinan berupa usia kehamilan ibu dan berat badan lahir bayi dan variabel dependen pada penelitian ini adalah status gizi balita. Analisis pada penelitian ini menggunakan analisis bivariate dengan uji chi square.Hasil Penelitian: Analisis bivariate menunjukan riwayat usia kehamilan dan riwayat Berat Badan Lahir terbukti secara statistik berhubungan dengan status gizi balita berdasarkan indeks BB/TB dengan nilai p masing-masing sebesar 0,001 dan 0,000.Kesimpulan: terdapat hubungan riwayat usia kehamilan dan riwayat Berat Badan Lahir bayi dengan status gizi balita berdasarkan indeks BB/TB.Saran: Hasil ini dapat digunakan sebagai parameter preventif dalam upaya pencegahan malnutrisi pada balita. Keywords: Berat Badan Lahir, Gizi Kurang, Malnutrisi, Outcome Persalinan, Usia Kehamilan ABSTRACT Background: The prevalence of malnutrition among children under five remains high globally and nationally. Nationally, rates of stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight are significant, with stunting at 30.79%, wasting at 10.2%, underweight at 17.7%, and overweight at 8.0%. Projections for 2022 indicate a decrease to 21.6% for stunting, 7.7% for wasting, 17.1% for underweight, and 3.5% for overweight.In Pesawaran district, Lampung Province, rates are notably higher, with 25.1% for stunting, 9.4% for wasting, and 20.6% for underweight children. These figures underscore a significant gap from the 2020-2024 National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) health targets of 14% for stunting and 7% for wasting. Pesawaran Regency specifically reports the highest incidence of wasting cases among these areas.Aims: This study aims to examine the relationship between birth outcomes, specifically gestational age and birth weight, and the nutritional status of children under five based on the Body Weight/Height (BW/TB) index.Method: This research employs an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional approach. The independent variables investigated are maternal gestational age and infant birth weight, while the dependent variable is the nutritional status of toddlers. Bivariate analysis using the chi-square test was conducted for data analysis.Results: The bivariate analysis demonstrated statistically significant relationships between both gestational age (p = 0.001) and birth weight (p = 0.000) with the nutritional status of toddlers based on the BB/TB index.Conclusion: There exists a significant association between gestational age and birth weight with the nutritional status of toddlers based on the BW/TB index.Suggestion: These findings suggest that these factors can serve as crucial indicators for preventive measures against malnutrition in toddlers. Keywords: Birth Weight, Wasting, Malnutrition, Birth Outcome, Gestational Age

The Relationship Between Nutritional Status And The Development Of Children Aged 4-60 Months

Child development is an important aspect of human life, especially in the early period of life, which is often referred to as the critical or golden period as the child's brain undergoes rapid growth. Developmental disorders in children under five, especially in terms of motor skills, have a long-term impact on their development, and a child's nutritional status has been shown to play a role in the process. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between nutritional status and development of children aged 4-60 months in Jember Regency. The research method used was a quantitative correlational approach with a cross-sectional approach, involving a total of 57 children who had a Kartu Menuju Sehat (KMS) as the population. From the results of the formula calculation, the sample size was determined as 50 respondents using a non-randomized (non-probability) method, namely purposive sampling based on certain criteria. The research instruments involved the Kartu Menuju Sehat (KMS) to assess children's nutritional status and the Developmental Pre-Screening Questionnaire (KPSP) to identify children's development. The results of the chi-square statistical test revealed a significant relationship between nutritional status and development of children aged 4-60 months in Jember District. [ Children with good nutritional status show more optimal developmental progress, while children with poor nutritional status tend to experience slower or inappropriate development for their age. This finding supports theories that emphasize the importance of adequate nutrition for children's growth and development. Therefore, efforts to improve children's nutritional status should be a top priority in various child health and education programs. With the right understanding and action, we can help create a healthier and more potential future generation.

Relationship Between Gross Motor Function and Nutritional Status of Children with Cerebral Palsy-A cross-sectional study in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is one of the most common causes of chronic disability in children. Childhood malnutrition is a major public health issue in low- and middle-income countries. The gross motor function of children with CP can easily be assessed by the tool Gross Motor Function Classification System- Expanded &amp;Revised (GMFCS-E&amp;R). This study aimed to determine the relationship between GMFCS and nutritional status in children with cerebral palsy. Method: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Neurology, IPNA, BSMMU from October 2019 to August 2020. All the patients aged 2-12 years were diagnosed as CP by clinical criteria and classified by GMFCS. Nutritional status (weight for age, height for age, weight for height, BMI) is assessed and classified according to the World Health Organization growth charts. Then linear and multinomial logistic regression methods to determine the associations between GMFCS and nutritional status. The correlation between motor function and nutritional status was assessed. Results: Among the 50 children 68% were male and 32% were female. The mean age of the CP children was 4.90±3.05 years. Most patients (66.0%) came from poor families followed by 24% from the middle class. Functionally majority of patients were in GMFCS level IV (28.0% ) and level V (20.0%). Maximum patients in spastic quadriplegia 42%, spastic hemiplegia 16%. The level of GMFCS was associated with nutritional status, as determined by anthropometry. Moderate and severe underweight significantly related with GMFC level IV and V. Moderate and severe stunted was significantly related with IV and V GMFC level. Moderate wasted was significantly related to GMFC levels III and IV. Mild malnutrition was significantly with GMFC level II and III. Severe malnutrition is significantly related to GMFC level IV and V. Conclusion: This study showed majority of cerebral palsy cases had severe functional gross motor disability and also severe grade of malnutrition. A significant association between severe grade of malnutrition and severe grade of motor disability was found. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2024; 42: 342-349

Factors associated with caregivers’ food safety knowledge, behavior, perception of food safety control, and the nutrition status of under-5 children in Nigeria

BackgroundHousehold-level food safety practices may have a long-term outcome on the nutrition and health status of under-five children. This study explores the relationships between caregivers’ self-reported food safety knowledge, behavior, perception of food safety control, and their young child’s (< 5 years) nutrition status.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study design, 664 caregivers from five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ibadan, Nigeria were surveyed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire on their food safety knowledge, behavior and perceived food safety control. Anthropometric measurements of the household’s index child (aged 6–59 months) were also taken. Variables for food safety knowledge and behavior score were selected using principal component analyses. The nutritional status of the children (Z-scores for weight-for-height (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and weight-for-age (WHZ)) were calculated. Description statistics were run on all variables and logistic regression models examined associations between the three food safety constructs and the children’s nutritional status. Covariates such as LGAs, caregiver’s age, household size, wealth index, child’s gender, and age were adjusted.ResultsHigh-level of food safety knowledge, behavior and lots of perceived control on food safety issues were reported by 77.7%, 76.7%, and 81.1% of the caregivers. Using WAZ, HAZ and WHZ that are ≤ -2, acute malnutrition (6.0%), chronic malnutrition (42.5%), and underweight (22.0%), respectively were prevalent among the children. Perceived food safety control was the only food safety construct associated with acute malnutrition. Wealth index, caregivers’ age, number of under 5 at home, child age, and gender were associated with acute malnutrition. Caregiver’s age, child’s age, and gender were associated with chronic malnutrition. Furthermore, caregiver’s age, education and child’s age were associated with a child being underweight. The significance level was at P < 0.05.ConclusionFactors associated with food safety and children’s nutritional outcomes are multi-faceted in nature. Future studies should explore access to resources and other intermediate factors that may explain the linkage between childhood malnutrition and caregivers’ food safety awareness, knowledge, and behavior. Public health and food safety initiatives to bridge the gap between perceived food safety control and actual food safety behavior/practices.

Problematic behaviors at mealtimes and the nutritional status of Brazilian children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The aim of this study was to explore problematic behaviors and their association with the food consumption and nutritional status of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This is a cross-sectional study which enrolled 90 Brazilian children (aged 2-10 years) with ASD. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the ASD Eating Behavior Assessment Scale, and the 24-h recall were used. Age, height, total body weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were accessed to estimate nutritional status (BMI/Age). Consumption of fruits, vegetables, total calories, macro and micronutrients (calcium, iron, zinc, omega 3 and omega 6), and Body Mass Index (BMI) were assessed. The regression models were adjusted for covariates (prevalence ratio - PR, α = 0.05). All studied children presented problematic behaviors at mealtimes, with a predominance of food selectivity (57.8%), followed by changes in mealtime skills (34.4%), changes in masticatory motor skills (25.6%), oppositional eating behaviors (20.4%), and rigid eating behaviors (20.0%). Food selectivity was associated with excess body weight (PR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.08-3.51) and absence of vegetable consumption (PR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.46-0.81). Rigid eating behaviors was associated with low consumption of fiber (PR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.15-1.75) and zinc (PR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.33-3.45), and with excessive caloric (PR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02-1.29) and lower calcium intake (PR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29-0.91). Selectivity and rigidity behaviors have different relationships with food consumption and are associated with a higher prevalence of inadequacies, which may lead to nutritional risks for children. Further studies may investigate the influence of problematic behaviors and excess body weight in ASD.

Changes in the nutritional status of children with cancer depending on clinical, demographic and social factors

Changes in the nutritional status of children with cancer depending on clinical, demographic and social factors

Literature Study: The Role of Health Cadres in Stunting Prevention to Support the Realisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's)

Introduction: Stunting is one of the chronic nutritional problems of global concern, including in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) agenda. In Indonesia, stunting is still a major health problem and contributor to child morbidity and mortality. To overcome this problem, prevention efforts are needed that involve various parties, including health cadres at the community level. This study aims to analyze the role of health cadres in stunting prevention to support the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's). Methods: This study used a literature study by collecting and reviewing previous research, especially looking for information about the involvement of the role of health cadres in stunting prevention. Results: Health cadres have a role and function as the main driver at the community level to provide education, monitor children's nutritional status, and conduct nutrition intervention activities. Through increased capacity and knowledge, health cadres can help reduce the prevalence of stunting and support the achievement of the SDGs, namely ending hunger and ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all. Conclusion: Support and commitment from all parties are needed to strengthen the role of health cadres in supporting the realization of the SDGs. With the right support and good collaboration, this program can have a significant impact in improving the health and welfare of the community.

Exploring risk factors for undernutrition in children aged under five years in Yemen.

Undernutrition is a global health concern, particularly in low-income countries, and can manifest as wasting, stunting and/or underweight. In Yemen, the recent armed conflict is likely to have significantly increased the incidence of undernutrition in young children, particularly those living in communities that were already experiencing socioeconomic and health disparities. To explore the risk factors associated with wasting, stunting and underweight in children aged between six months and five years living in one district of Yemen. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a two-part questionnaire to collect anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic characteristics of children enrolled on an outpatient programme for undernourished children at three healthcare facilities in the Jiblah district, and of their families and households. Of the 120 children included in the study, 58 (48%) had wasting, 27 (23%) had stunting and 35 (29%) were underweight. Risk factors for undernutrition included being under the age of three years, being a girl, having had a low birthweight, having siblings under the age of five years, having a mother who is a housewife, living in a household relying on unimproved sources of drinking water, living in a rural area, and living in a low-income household. The nutritional status of children in Yemen is under continuing threat. The identification of risk factors for undernutrition may increase awareness of the issue and influence the policy decisions of the international community.

District Level Child and Women Nutritional Status in Andhra Pradesh State of India-Food Based Intervention Options for Improvement and Associated Issues

District Level Child and Women Nutritional Status in Andhra Pradesh State of India-Food Based Intervention Options for Improvement and Associated Issues

Impact of different CFTR modulators on nutritional status in children with cystic fibrosis

Impact of different CFTR modulators on nutritional status in children with cystic fibrosis

Taste and smell are associated with dietary intake, eating behavior, nutritional status, and health-related quality of life in children with cancer

Background & aimsSmell and taste changes are frequently reported bothersome treatment symptoms during treatment for childhood cancer and assumed to influence outcomes such as food intake. Since nutritional status of children with cancer is already vulnerable, any detrimental effects on food intake should be prevented. Therefore, understanding the exact relationship between chemosensory changes and dietary intake, eating behavior, and other domains such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL), is important for improving outcomes. MethodsIn this longitudinal study, we followed 87 childhood cancer patients treated for hematological, solid, or brain malignancies. Smell (odor threshold and odor identification) and taste function (total taste score) were objectively investigated using commercial Sniffin’ Sticks and Taste Strips respectively, and by self-report. Dietary intake was measured using a 3-day food dairy. For nutritional status, BMI expressed as standard deviation scores was derived from medical records. Eating behavior and HRQoL were assessed by the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) and PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales, respectively. Measurements were taken approximately 6 weeks (T0), 3 months (T1), 6 months after starting chemotherapy (T2), and 3 months after termination of chemotherapy or maintenance phase for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (T3). Dietary intake, eating behavior, nutritional status, and HRQoL were modelled over time using mixed model analysis. Associations between smell and taste (objective and self-report), as well as patient characteries were studied. ResultsEnergy intake significantly increased during the study period, with a higher age, BMI, and total taste scores associated to this increase. Boys had higher energy intake compared to girls. Eating behavior scores significantly declined, indicating less eating problems. Age, pre-diagnosis eating behavior, self-reported smell changes, and tube feeding were associated to eating behavior. BMI significantly increased, with a higher BMI at diagnosis to be related to a higher BMI during the study period. A lower BMI was found in children receiving tube feeding and self-reported taste changes. HRQoL improved during the study period, with lower HRQoL in children receiving tube feeding and self-reported taste changes. ConclusionBoth objective and subjective measures of taste and smell influence dietary intake, eating behavior, nutritional status, and HRQoL. Individual dietary advice and coping strategies are warranted to prevent detrimental effects of chemosensory changes on food intake and clinical outcomes in children with cancer.

Nutritional Status of Children in Bangladesh: Changes and Challenges for Development

Despite suffering from widespread poverty, Bangladesh has made remarkable improvements in the nutritional status of children over the past three decades. This paper describes the trends in the nutritional status of children in Bangladesh by age groups, explores factors associated with these trends, and concludes with a description of future challenges for development in Bangladesh. The national-level survey (BDHS), national plan and policy paper, and literature were used for the study. It is remarkable for Bangladesh that stunting, underweight, and wasting among children under five years old has improved gradually. Children 12- 23 months of age are the most vulnerable. Living in a rural vs urban area, wealth status and maternal education are the main determinants linked to the nutritional status of children. Poverty reduction, improved water and sanitation, strengthened maternal and child health care, education and other policies linked to food and dietary practices and many other policies and programs could continue to improve nutritional levels in children in Bangladesh. Attention is also needed to under five mortality and the double burden of malnutrition. Addressing gaps in policies and programs to achieve the goals of national plans and SDG targets will pay health dividends for the entire population.