ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION STATUS AMONG CHILDREN 0-60 MONTHS IN TWO COMMUNES OF LAO CAI PROVINCE IN 2023

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the nutritional status of children 0-60 months old at Ta Thoi and Hop Thanh communes of Lao Cai province in 2023. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study by quantitative method with a sample size of 374 children aged 0-60 months from 2 communes of Lao Cai province, which was conducted from August 2022 to May 2023. To assess the nutritional status through anthropometric measurements (weight, height) and comparison of reference population measurements according to WHO-2006 guidelines; 374 mothers of the children were asked using a pre-designed questionnaire. Research results showed that there were 57.5% boys, a male/female ratio of 1.35. The mean age was 27.68 ± 16.97 months. Levels of underweight, stunting, and wasting were 14.7%, 43.9% and 29.4% respectively. It is necessary to identify some risk factors for undernutrition and take appropriate interventions to reduce the rate of child malnutrition.