Malnutritional Status of 6-59 months Childs of Rural Families in Dinajpur Districts Bangladesh

Abstract

The present status of malnutrition among the children of 6-59 months old was assessed from the rural families in selected areas of Dinajpur district. Anthropometric methods and the data were collected through a face-to-face interview using a semi-structured questionnaire. The prevalence of malnutrition was assessed using three indicators: stunting, under-weight, and wasting following the WHO guidelines and cut-off points. 165 children (6-59 months) and their household of three Upazila (Kaharole, Dinajpur Sadar and Birganj) in Dinajpur district were considered for study subjects. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting of 6-59 months old children in Dinajpur was 38.8%, 41.3%, and 12.1%, respectively. The mean height of male and female children were 82.99 cm and 84.15 cm. The mean weight of male and female children was 10.97 kg and 10.78 kg. Female children are more susceptible to malnutrition than male children. The main contributing factors for stunting and wasting children were religion, monthly income of the family, parent education, criteria of child’s daily activity, and consumption of egg, cow milk, citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, other vegetables, rice, and pulses.