ืNutritional Status and Factors Associated with Nutritional Status of Children Aged 2-5 Years, Sisatanak District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the nutritional status and to identify
factors associated with nutritional status among 143 preschool children aged 2-5 years at
the Sisatanak district kindergarten, Vientiane capital, Lao PDR. The subjects were obtained
by a systematic random sampling. Data were collected in January 2014 by weighing,
measuring the height and interviewing parents or caretakers using questionnaires and a 24-
hour dietary recallmehod. The nutritional status was assessed according to weight for age,
height for age and weight for height. Nutrients intake were calculated using the INMUCALNutrients
program. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square or
Fisher’s exact test.
The results of the nutritional assessment showed that of 143 preschool children,
based on weight for age, 85.3% were adequately nourished, 9.7% were under nourished
and 5.0% over nourished. Based on height for age, 72.0%, 25.9% and 2.1% were normal,
under and over-nourished, respectively. Based on weight for height, 89.5%, 6.3% and 4.2
were normal, under and over-nourished, respectively. The pre-school children aged 2-3
year had an oversupply of energy (114.2 %) and and protein intake (228.5%) according to
the DRI for energy intake and for protein, respectively. Whereas, pre-school children aged 4-
5 year had 98.1% and 198.3% of DRI for energy intake and for protein intake. For
association analysis, based on weight for age, breast feeding was associated with nutritional
status of pre-school children statistically significant with p-value = 0.04. Based on height for
age, child’s age, inborn illness, parent’s occupation and family income were associated
with nutritional status of pre-school children statistically significant with p-value = 0.01,
0.03, 0.02 and 0.001, respectively. According to weight for height, parent’s age was
associated with pre-school children nutritional status statistically significant (p-value = 0.03).
In conclusion, breast feeding, inborn illness, economic status and mother’s age
play an important role on nutritional status of the children. Proper measures should be
considered to improve the nutritional status of the children.