Growth and nutritional status of rural preschool children in El-Minia governorate

ABSTRACT

The study included 744 rural preschool children 1-71 months of age. All studied children were subjected to full history, clinical examination, and anthropometric measurements. Children were both lighter and shorter than children of similar ages studied in Assiut, Lower Egypt, some developing countries as well as developed countries. The weight, height, and head circumference of males were not significantly different than those of females. The prevalence of malnutrition [weight for age] was 72.2%, the highest prevalence was in the age group 6-23 months [83.7%]. The prevalence of wasting was 31.6% and the highest prevalence was in the age group 6-23 months [62%]. The prevalence of stunting was 76.5% and the highest prevalence was among children aged 24-35 months [87.4%]. Low socioeconomic status, increased birth order, recurrent diarrhea, and non-breast feeding were high risk factors for prevalence of malnutrition among the rural preschool children