Factors Affecting Malnutrition Among Children under Five Years of Age in Sudan

Abstract

This study aims to assess the nutritional status using anthropometric measurements, which include body mass index and other physical dimensions, in addition to the age of the child. The study emphasizes the need to compare anthropometric measurements with standard measures and analyze data using Cross tables to investigate the impact of economic and social factors on malnutrition. The results indicate that almost 34 of children under five years old suffer from moderate Underweight, with over 36.6 classified as moderately stunted, meaning they are significantly shorter than expected for their age. Furthermore, about 15.8 of children exhibit moderate wasting, indicating that they are thinner than expected for their height. The study reveals significant differences in malnutrition levels based on factors like the child’s gender, urban versus rural living conditions, states and maternal education, as well as other indicators such as diarrhea, vitamin intake, and family wealth. These factors significantly impact malnutrition based on the indicators of underweight, stunting, and wasting.