Nutritional status of children aged 24 - 71 months in 10 kindergartens of Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province, in 2022

Abstract

The nutritional status of young children in mountainous provinces and disadvantaged areas always needs attention. Cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 2,858 children aged 24 - 71 months in Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province to determine anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status. The results showed that the mean weight of boys were 14.8 ± 2.9kg; girls were 14.2 ± 2.8kg. The mean height of boys were 99.4 ± 7.7cm; girls were s 98.9 ± 8.2 cm. The prevalence of stunting was 16.4%, at medium levels of public health problem. The prevalence of underweight was 17.6%; Underweight and stunting were highest among children whose mothers are ethnic minorities and poor economic households; The prevalence of wasting was 8.0%. overweight and obesity was 3.6%. There was significant difference in the rate of stunting among schools (p < 0.001), by ethnicity (p < 0.001), by household economy (p < 0.001). Improving the nutritional status of children under 5 years old in mountainous areas should focus on giving priority to children of poor and near-poor households; ethnic minority.