Study on Dietary Pattern and Nutritional Status of Underprivileged Children in Chattogram Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh

Abstract

The prime aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status and associated factors for children at Chattogram metropolitan area, Bangladesh. A community based cross sectional survey was carried out in the study. A total of 200 person of underprivileged children comprising 61 boys and 54 girls from CRB, Agrabad, Sholoshahar and cantonment were participated in this study. A pre-prepared questionnaire was used to find out the association among various factors with nutritional status. The nutritional status of underprivileged children are presented through the three segments according to the age range. Nutritional status of children are determined by BMI Z-score for age and MUAC. According to the BMI Z-score for age given by WHO the percentages of severely wasted, wasted and normal ranged children are 19.5%, 32.5% and 25.5% respectively in this survey. Again 17.5% children were over weighted and 5% were obese as per as the survey. Based on MUAC, according to the age group less than 5 years children, the prevalence of moderate acute malnutrition and severe acute malnutrition were not found. Age range between 5 to 10 years children, the prevalence of moderate acute malnutrition was found 2.46% and severe acute malnutrition was found 0.82%, the prevalence of moderate acute malnutrition and severe acute malnutrition were not found for the age group more than 10 years and also informed that malnutrition was significantly associated with location, lunch pattern and milk