Assessment of 24 Hour Dietary Recall in under 5 Children with Acute Malnutrition

Background: Acute malnutrition remains a major public health concern among under-five children in Bangladesh, leading to increased morbidity and mortality.Dietary intake and feeding practices play a crucial role in preventing and managing malnutrition.This study aimed to assess the 24-hour dietary recall, dietary diversity, and meal frequency among malnourished children admitted to a tertiary hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute from January 2020 to June 2020, including 100 children aged 6-59 months with acute malnutrition.Data were collected using 24-hour dietary recall and WHO-recommended dietary assessment tools.Nutrient intake was compared with Recommended Daily Intake (RDI), and dietary diversity was evaluated using the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS).Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25.Results: The mean energy intake was 860 145 kcal, with 75% of children consuming below RDI.Protein (61%), fat (56%), iron (81%), vitamin A (68%), and zinc (78%) intake were also below recommended levels.The mean DDS was 3.4 1.2, with a high reliance on cereals (92%) but low consumption of animal-source foods (39%), vegetables (29%), and fruits (22%).Only 64% met the minimum meal frequency, 41% consumed fortified foods, and 28% of mothers received nutrition counseling. Conclusion:The study highlights inadequate dietary intake, poor dietary diversity, and low maternal nutrition awareness among malnourished children.Nutritional interventions, dietary diversification, and improved maternal education are needed to address these gaps.