Early Childhood Nutrition in Child Development Center Prankratai District Kamphaeng Phet Province

Abstract

Background: Childhood nutrition is the cornerstone of good health and intelligence. But currently, Thai children have a nutritional status of “proportionately” below the target. Therefor, it is necessary to find a solution according to the context. Objective: To study factors affecting nutritional status and the trial of the NATT Model to solve early childhood malnutrition problems in child development centers. Method: Study of secondary nutrition information for children aged 2–5 years, in the child development center, 505 children with nutritional status results in September 2021 and health diaries. Using the NATT Model to solve malnutrition problems, it a quasi–experimental research between December 2021–April 2022, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi –square, Odds ratio, Paired–samples T test. Result: The sample was male (56.6%), well–balanced nutrition (57.2%). Risk factors for malnutrition Child: Unweighted weight–age (OR = 3.703), breastfed for less than 6 months (OR = 1.394) no iron supplementation (OR = 1.337), Maternal: First antenatal care >12 weeks (OR = 3.766), no folic acid (OR = 1.232), Teachers/caregivers: knowledge level (OR = 3.438), attitude level (OR = 3.320), children’s eating behavior (OR = 1.478). After using the NATT Model, the children had increased nutritional status, and there were differences in average weight and height before and after participating in the activity. Conclusion: Early childhood children were malnourished 57.2%. Child, mother, teacher/caregiver factors were found to be related to nutritional status. After using the NATT Model, the children had increased nutritional status, and found the difference in mean weight height before and after participating in the activity.