Thực trạng dinh dưỡng của trẻ em dưới 5 tuổi tại thị xã Ngã Năm, tỉnh Sóc Trăng năm 2024

Proper nutrition is a cornerstone for the holistic physical and cognitive development of children, significantly influencing their overall health and future potential. Globally, malnutrition, encompassing both undernutrition (stunting, wasting, underweight) and overnutrition (overweight and obesity), remains a critical public health concern, with millions of children under five years old affected. Despite this global focus and various local initiatives, the nutritional status of young children in specific underserved regions often remains poorly understood. This study addresses a notable research gap by investigating the current nutritional status of children under five years of age in Nga Nam district, Soc Trang province, providing essential baseline data for targeted public health interventions and policy development.

Public health professionals, pediatricians, nutrition researchers, local government and health policymakers, and caregivers interested in child nutrition.

This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the nutritional status of 300 children under five years old and their mothers in Nga Nam town, Soc Trang province, in 2024. Proper nutrition is critical for comprehensive physical and cognitive development, yet specific data for this region was lacking. The research collected anthropometric data from children and interviewed their mothers to assess various nutritional indicators. The findings revealed significant prevalence rates of malnutrition among the studied population. Specifically, the prevalence of stunting was 14.3%, underweight was 10%, and wasting was 7.3%. Additionally, 9% of children were found to be overweight or obese, indicating a dual burden of malnutrition in the area. The study also explored demographic characteristics of mothers and children, revealing that factors such as maternal age, education level, birth weight, and gestational age significantly influenced the children's nutritional status. For instance, children born prematurely or with low birth weight had a higher risk of stunting, underweight, and wasting, while those with higher birth weight were more prone to overweight and obesity. These results highlight the urgent need for targeted public health interventions. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of strengthening nutrition education programs for caregivers. Such programs should focus on improving dietary practices, promoting healthy eating habits, and enhancing awareness regarding the early detection and management of malnutrition. The insights from this research are crucial for informing local health policies and developing effective strategies to improve the overall nutritional status and long-term health outcomes of young children in Nga Nam district and similar communities.