Socioeconomic determinants of child health in urban slums of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional analysis of BMI and associations with parental education, poverty, occupation, and maternal age at birth

Background: Malnutrition in children is still a significant public health concern in Bangladesh, especially for underprivileged groups living in tea garden communities and urban slums. Socioeconomic factors, including maternal age at childbirth, parental education, family income, and parental occupation, have a significant influence on child nutritional outcomes. Socioeconomic factors, including maternal age at childbirth, parental education, family income, and parental occupation, have a significant influence on nutritional outcomes for children. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the body mass index (BMI) distribution among children aged 1 to 5 in several tea garden areas in Sylhet, Bangladesh, and to investigate the relationships between BMI and important socioeconomic variables. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2023 among 330 children residing in the tea gardens of Daldali, Lakkatura, and Malnicherra. Standardized WHO methods were employed to obtain anthropometric measures, and structured interviews with parents were conducted to gather socioeconomic data. Python was used to perform statistical analyses, including group comparisons, descriptive statistics, and correlation evaluations, to examine the relationships between socioeconomic factors and BMI. Results: The mean BMI of participating children was 15.16 kg/m² (SD 3.85), indicating a high prevalence of undernutrition, alongside a small proportion exhibiting overweight status. Over 80% of households reported monthly incomes of less than 7,000 BDT, and approximately half of the mothers had no formal education. Higher parental education levels and household income were positively associated with child BMI. Furthermore, children of non-working mothers had somewhat higher BMIs, which may indicate a connection to more time spent providing care. Lower BMI values in children were linked to early maternal age at childbirth, which is common in this group. Discussion: The findings highlight how intersecting socioeconomic factors impact child nutrition. Combating undernutrition in Bangladesh requires addressing poverty, promoting maternal education, and ensuring stable livelihoods.