Evaluation of Nutritional Status and Contributing Factors in Young Children: A Comprehensive Study of Growth, Health, and Socioeconomic Influences in Khulna’s Kindergarten Schools

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the nutritional status of young children in Khulna and identify the factors that affect their health and growth. Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing targeted interventions to improve child health outcomes in similar settings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2024, involving 200 children aged 4 to 8 years from five randomly selected kindergarten schools in Khulna. Data were collected on each child’s height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUC), anemia status, and visual acuity. Health-related variables such as disease history, vaccination status, birth history, and sociodemographic factors including mothers' education level, occupation, and socioeconomic status were also recorded. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, and comparative analyses examined the relationships between nutritional status and the collected variables. Results: The study revealed that 70.0% of children had normal weight for height, while 15.0% had mild malnutrition, 10.0% moderate malnutrition, and 5.0% severe malnutrition. Height for age showed that 65.0% of children were normal, with 15.0% exhibiting mild stunting, and 20.0% moderate to severe stunting. Anemia was present in 20.0% of the children, and 10.0% had poor vision. The chi-square tests showed a significant association between the mother's education level and the child's nutritional status (p = 0.009), with logistic regression indicating higher odds of malnutrition in children of mothers with higher education levels. Conclusion: The study highlights the complex interplay between sociodemographic factors and the nutritional status of children in Khulna. The counterintuitive finding that higher maternal education correlates with higher odds of child malnutrition suggests the need for multifaceted interventions, including better nutrition education for mothers and increased support for working mothers. Addressing these factors comprehensively can improve child health outcomes in similar socio-economic settings.