Factors related to Nutritional Status in School-Age Children with Stunting and Thinness and Those with Normal Height A Comparative Study
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Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to compare children’s consumption behaviors, physical activity behaviors, sleep duration, and household second-hand smoke exposure of children; and parent’s food preparation behaviors between school-age children with stunting and thinness; and those with normal height.
Design: Descriptive comparative study.
Methods: The sample consisted of parents and school-age children aged 9-12 years, enrolled in grades 4-6, at 11 primary schools in Chiang Rai Province. A total of 144 children and parents were included, divided into two groups: 48 pairs of parents and children with stunting and thinness, and 96 pairs of parents and children with normal height. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test.
Main findings: The results showed significant differences between children with stunting and thinness and those with normal height in terms of consumption behaviors (t = 10.88, p < .001), physical activity behaviors (z = 8.95, p < .001), sleep duration (t = 3.46, p < .001) and short and long-term duration of household second-hand smoke exposure (z = 5.38, p < .001; z = 5.41, p < .001, respectively). Parent’s food preparation behaviors between both groups were significantly different (t = 6.34, p < .001).
Conclusion and recommendations: Healthcare personnel should cooperate with school staff to implement programs aimed at preventing undernutrition in school-aged children. School policies addressing this issue should be developed. Health promotion programs should be integrated into the school curriculum, and nutritional improvement initiatives for parents of undernourished children should be tailored to the specific nutritional needs of their children and related factors.
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