Prevalence and Associated Factors of Underweight Status among Children Aged 2-4 Years at Child-Care Centers of Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province
Keywords:
underweight, day care centerAbstract
Background: Underweight is an important problem among preschool age children and mostly related to undernutrition. Because nutritional problems among children living along the border of Thailand may differ from those living in the city, a survey to identify the prevalence and associated factors is needed.
Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with underweight status among children aged 2-4 years living in Chiang Khong District of Chiang Rai Province
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among children attending six child-care centers in Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province. The child’s current weight and height were reviewed from a growth record program. Parents responded to a questionnaire about nutritional knowledge and practices.
Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics was used to analyse population characteristics. Comparison between groups were analysed using Chi-Square test or Fisher’s Exact as appropriate.
Results: One hundred and seventy children were enrolled. In all, 52 (30.59%), 112 (65.88%) and 6 (3.53%) children were categorized as underweight, normal and overweight, respectively. Hill tribe was the only factor associated with underweight children. Parents of normal or overweight children had better knowledge than those of underweight children including the importance of daily breakfast, consuming milk daily, meat and eggs diet and having seasonal fruits instead of sweets or snacks. Accordingly, normal or overweight children received more appropriate daily nutrition compared with underweight children including daily breakfast, fruit, meat, eggs and iron-rich foods.
Conclusion: Nutritional knowledge and practices are important factors related to growth among children living at Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province.
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