Characteristics and determinants of child nutritional status in Nepal

Abstract

Herein, we examine characteristics and determinants of child malnutrition in the districts of Bara and Rautahat of the Terai region of Nepal. The sample studied consists of 510 rural children ranging in age from 3 to 10 yr. The Nepali children were found to have one of the highest reported prevalences of stunting (65% were less than 90% National study for Health Statistics median height for age). The study children were also 1 to 1.5 kg lighter when compared to US children of the same height. Fat deposits, as measured by anthropometric variables and Hb levels were also very low. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, district of residence, household income, breast-feeding, and several specific food items were significant predictors of nutritional status. Association with other factors such as caste and parental schooling, were not evident in multiple regressions. Boys were as likely to be malnourished as girls. Prolonged breast-feeding was associated with greater fat stores, but with reduced stature and low Hb values. Both landholdings and household income were found to be positively and significantly associated with almost all measures of nutritional status.

Nutritional survey on the serum status of lipid, protein, and calcium levels in Nepalese.

“…The mean weight for males tended to be similar to that of females for the groups covering ages from 1-19 years but was higher in those over 20 years old. The height and weight of children in this study were similar to those determined for children in the districts of Bara and Rautahat of the Terai region in Nepal in 1980-1981 (87.2-124.5 and 87.4-123.1 cm for height and 11.9-23.2 and 11.1-20.9 kg for weight, 3-10 years, for males and females, respectively) [3].…”

“…It has been reported in mice that the serum PL content was higher in obese animals than in normal ones and lower in undernourished ones [19]. The low levels of PL of Nepalese in this report may reflect deficiencies in nutrition [1][2][3]5]. As shown in Table 2, the serum level of TL for males increased from 347 mg/ 100 ml to 653 mg/ 100 ml through the 5-49 year age groups (Table 2).…”

“…In Nepal, child malnutrition [3] and a high incidence of infant mortality [4] have been reported. The lactating Nepalese also manifest deficiencies in nutrition [5].…”

Socio-economic differences in height and body mass index of children and adults living in urban areas of Karachi, Pakistan

“…There is considerable heterogeneity in poverty, morbidity, mortality and nutritional status in urban areas, with often enormous differentials between poor and the middle-to high-income parts of a particular city. Major socio-economic differentials in child health and mortality have been reported within the urban sector of Ghana (Rikimaru et al, 1998), Guatemala (Engle, 1993), Ethiopia (Getaneh et al, 1998), Brazil (Gross & Monterio, 1989), Nepal (Martorell et al, 1984), Malawi (Quinn et al, 1995), Bangladesh (Ahmed et al, 1991;Quinn et al, 1995) and Saudi Arabia (Serenius & Swailem, 1988).…”

Perfil intracomunitário da deficiência nutricional: estudo de crianças abaixo de 5 anos numa comunidade de baixa renda do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil)

“…Nesta situação também são menores as agressões da carência alimentar extrema e das infecções severas, permitindo que, neste novo patamar de problemas de moderada intensidade, as crianças se adaptem reduzindo o crescimento linear sem alterar a relação apropriada de peso-para-altura 31 . Assim, à medida que os níveis de desnutrição aguda declinam, os retardos estaturais passam a ser dominantes e de crescente preocupação.…”