ABSTRACT
Background: Globally, malnutrition is a major public health concern. Under nutrition in Nigeria is a long standing problem since independence and the magnitude is on the increase. This is so because food consumption both in quantity and quality has decreased considerably due to unemployment and other harsh economic conditions. Objectives:The study aimed at assessingthe sociodemographic and Nutritional status of underfive Children in Benue State North Central Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted using quantitative data collection methods. The study involved interviews using questionnaires for sociodemographic variables, immunization, breast feeding practices and anthropometric measurements. Data were analyzedusing SPSS version 21. Ninety five percent confidence interval was used while a p value of ⤠0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Two hundred and twenty three under five children and their mothers were assessed for nutritional status using selected and sensitive anthropometric methods. The results showed that children with mothers/caregiverswithout formal education had weight and height 36.4% and 70.5% below normal respectively.Mothers with income less than twenty thousand per annum had children with height 53.3% below normal while those earning above twenty thousand naira per year had weight 41.0% and height 62.9% below average respectively. Furthermore, children without appropriate immunization for age had 29.9%, 53.2%, and 36.9% below normal for weight, height and mid upper arm circumference respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship betweenweight, height and mid upper arm circumference with the age of children (p=0.00, 0.002, 0.001respectively) with respect to their nutritional status. Conclusion: The nutritional need of a childis complex. There is need for proper nutritional education