Diet and nutritional status among children 24–59 months by seasons in a mountainous area of Northern Vietnam in 2012

Abstract

BackgroundSeasonal variation affects food availability. However, it is not clear if it affects dietary intake and nutritional status of children in Vietnam.ObjectivesThis paper aims at examining the seasonal variation in nutrition status and dietary intake of children aged 24–59 months.DesignA repeated cross-sectional study design was used to collect data of changes in nutritional status and diets of children from 24 to 59 months through four seasons in Chiem Hoa district, Tuyen Quang province, a predominately rural mountainous province of northern Vietnam. The quantitative component includes anthropometric measurements, 24 hours dietary recall and socio-economic characteristics. The qualitative component was conducted through focus group discussions (FGDs) with mothers of the children surveyed in the quantitative component. The purpose of FGDs was to explore the food habits of children during the different seasons and the behaviours of their mothers in relation to the food that they provide during these seasons.ResultsThe prevalence of underweight among children aged 24–59 months is estimated at around 20–25%; it peaked in summer (24.9%) and reached a low in winter (21.3%). The prevalence of stunting was highest in summer (29.8%) and lowest in winter (22.2%). The prevalence of wasting in children was higher in spring and autumn (14.3%) and lower in summer (9.3%). Energy intake of children was highest in the autumn (1259.3 kcal) and lowest in the summer (996.9 kcal). Most of the energy and the nutrient intakes during the four seasons did not meet the Vietnamese National Institute of Nutrition recommendation.ConclusionsOur study describes some seasonal variation in nutrition status and energy intake among children in a mountainous area northern Vietnam. Our study indicated that the prevalence of stunting and underweight was higher in summer and autumn, while the prevalence of wasting was higher in spring and autumn. Energy intake did not always meet national recommendations, especially in summer.

Assessment of Cocoa Producers’ Children Nutritional Status in the Nawa Region, Côte d’Ivoire

“…This situation could be due to seasonal food availability because this study had been conducted in rainy season and the previous one in dry season. It could also have an impact on malnutrition prevalence [8].…”

“…In addition, instruction level could be implicated, while, in cocoa production zone, most people were never at school (56.4%), principally women [5]. So, they are not really aware of infant nutrition such as diversification stage [8].…”

“…Many factors are involved in malnutrition causes: climatic seasons, food access and availability, population eating habits and choice [8,9]. Moreover, a recent mapping of malnutrition in the major cocoa producing areas of Côte d'Ivoire (including Western, Central-eastern, Southern and South-western regions) has revealed stunting rates varying from 25 to 34% [10].…”

Nutritional Assessment of Under Five Children Attending Pediatric Clinic in a Tertiary Care Hospital in the Capital of Nepal

“…These findings suggest that children in the capital city have a better nutritional status compared to other parts of the country. Stunted under five children in our study was much lower compared to other areas of the world like Ethiopia (57.5), [19] Philippines (34%), [16] North Vietnam (29.8%), [13] NW Ethiopia (24.9%), [12] and Thailand (19.9%). [20] This difference could be due to inclusion of children from the capital, Kathmandu and surrounding districts only.…”

“…[5] A study in Thailand showed 8.3% obesity and another study in NW Ethiopia showed 35.5% overweight children under five. [12,20] A study done in Ilam, Nepal showed 17.5% overweight children in 2015. [18] This suggests that the problem of overweight and obesity is comparatively less in and around Kathmandu compared to other places of Nepal and different other countries.…”