Background: Malnourished children have a weakened immune system with a greater risk of developing preventable illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhea. Under nutrition is responsible directly or indirectly for 60% of the 10.9 million deaths occurring annually among children under five worldwide. On the other side, over nutrition (overweight and obesity), is a major contributor to the increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases in adulthood with its debilitating effects and increased cost of care between the elder population. Objective: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition detected by basic anthropometric assessment (weight and height) in children 0-60 month of age in selected rural areas of two districts in the governorates of Qalyubia and Gharbia and to explore the possible underlying factors of malnutrition in these areas. Method: A nutritional survey on 3871 children less than 5 years was conducted in rural health units in Kafr Shokr and Samanoud. Data was collected using an interviewed questionnaire with the mothers and anthropometric measurement sheet. Results: The study revealed that overweight and stunting were the most common forms of malnutrition prevalent within the study population at 15.2%, and 11.3% respectively and that some socio-demographic characteristics related to the children and their mothers were found to have their impact on the children's nutritional status. Conclusion: Nutritional status among Egyptian children needs due concern. Health education on promoting dietary pattern and importance of breast feeding will aid in promoting their health.
(2020). Prevalence of Malnutrition Detected by Anthropometric Assessment among Children Under Five Years of Age in Selected Rural Areas in Lower Egypt. The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine, 38(1), 51-63. doi: 10.21608/ejcm.2020.68620
MLA
. "Prevalence of Malnutrition Detected by Anthropometric Assessment among Children Under Five Years of Age in Selected Rural Areas in Lower Egypt". The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine, 38, 1, 2020, 51-63. doi: 10.21608/ejcm.2020.68620
HARVARD
(2020). 'Prevalence of Malnutrition Detected by Anthropometric Assessment among Children Under Five Years of Age in Selected Rural Areas in Lower Egypt', The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine, 38(1), pp. 51-63. doi: 10.21608/ejcm.2020.68620
VANCOUVER
Prevalence of Malnutrition Detected by Anthropometric Assessment among Children Under Five Years of Age in Selected Rural Areas in Lower Egypt. The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine, 2020; 38(1): 51-63. doi: 10.21608/ejcm.2020.68620