DOUBLE BURDEN OF MALNUTRITION AMONG EARLY CHILDHOOD IN HEALTH AREA 7: BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

 This study was a cross-sectional study to study malnutrition problems in early
childhood. Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in health area 7, data were
collected from the caregiver questionnaire, maternal and child health handbook,
and early Childhood Nutritional Information by weighing and measuring length/
height. Before epidemic data from growth status, factors associated with growth, and
optimum growth promoting growth promoting model for Thai early childhood
in 2018, a total of 664 Children. And during the pandemic, from a study of the
situation of early childhood development in Thailand in 2021 (Denver II) and
factors related to quality early childhood children in Health Area 7, a total of
837 Children. A comparative analysis of malnutrition before and during the
epidemic by chi-square test.
The results showed that in early childhood children under 3 years of age,
weight was for age being overweight from 2.8% to 8.1% (p-value 0.002). In terms of
length/height for age criteria, higher it increased from 1.9% to 4.5% (p-value 0.046).
And weight for height criteria were thin, decreased from 5.0% to 2.2% (p-value 0.040).
The trend of children who were obese also increased from 1.6% to 3.4%. But there
was no difference in malnutrition among the sample 3 to 6 years before and during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Covid-19 pandemic Accelerate the problem of the double burden of
malnutrition in early childhood, especially the problem of overnutrition. Therefore,
caregivers should be encouraged to choose nutritious food. In the right amount,
prepare for the child to complete all 3 meals, including reducing food that is high in
fat and sugar. These increasing physical activities can be done at home and monitor
nutrition status by using a growth chart regularly.