Demographic, Socio-Economic Factors and Physical Activity Affecting the Nutritional Status of Young Children Under Five Years

Abstract: Background: Modern lifestyle extends the umbrella of social responsibility for provision of appropriate nutritionally balanced foods to children of all age groups in particular the children under 5 years of age of all socio-economic groups of civil society which starts from home leads to the health professionals at all health outlets, Nutritionists, Dieticians, schools and the food industry. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study performed to investigate the relation between demographic, Socio-Economic Factors and physical activity affecting the nutritional status of young children under five Years of Age. One hundred twenty one young children, anthropometric data were taken using standard methods. Physical activities and other socioeconomic family parameters were assessed using validated questionnaire from Kindergarten children's and young children mothers by direct contact or by telephone. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the influence of various parameters. SPSS computer software ver.10 was used in data analysis. Results: This study revealed that the impact of family size on nutritional status of children was significantly different. Birth order was a highly significant factor in relation to nutritional status in WAZ and WHZ P<0.001. High prevalence of underweight was in Low income children. There was correlation between BMI and anthropometric measures. The breastfed group was better than the other group regard nutritional indicators; HAZ the difference