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Factors Associated with Nutritional Indicators among Under-Five Children in the Torshiz Region, Razavi Khorasan
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Masoume Sadeghi *1    |
| 1- Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Sadeghims@mums.ac.ir , Sadeghims@mums.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (31 Views) |
Background: Undernutrition among children under five years of age is one of the most important public health challenges in developing countries and can have short- and long-term consequences for growth, development, and survival. This study aimed to determine factors associated with nutritional indicators (stunting, wasting, and underweight) among children under five years of age in the Torshiz region (Kashmar, Khalilabad, Bardaskan, and Kuhsorkh), Razavi Khorasan Province, in 2023.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data on children aged 2–5 years living in the Torshiz region were extracted from the electronic health system “SINA” and analyzed. Based on Z-scores of nutritional indicators, children were classified into two groups: the undernourished group, including children with at least one indicator of stunting, wasting, or underweight (Z-score < −2), and the comparison group, including children with normal nutritional indicators. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 and multivariable logistic regression models..
Results: A total of 4,218 children (2,109 in each group) were included in the study. The highest prevalence of underweight (50%), wasting (42.86%), and stunting (40.93%) was observed in Kashmar County. After adjusting for potential confounders, low birth weight (AOR = 3.02; 95% CI: 1.70–27.16), higher maternal age (AOR = 4.01; 95% CI: 1.26–7.20), household food insecurity (AOR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.11–2.64), and maternal self-employment (AOR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.42–4.48) were significantly associated with increased odds of undernutrition. Birth length (AOR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.71–0.89), maternal university education (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.22–0.85), and combined breastfeeding and formula feeding at six months of age (AOR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.18–0.78) were protective against undernutrition.
Conclusion: Low birth weight, higher maternal age, food insecurity, and maternal self-employment were associated with an increased risk of undernutrition, whereas greater birth length, maternal university education, and combined feeding at six months were associated with a reduced risk. These findings highlight the importance of maternal and household factors and early-life care in preventing child undernutrition. |
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| Keywords: Malnutrition, Underweight, Wasting, Stunting, Children |
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Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
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Received: 2025/07/23 | Accepted: 2025/10/7 | Published: 2026/03/21
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Research code: ------------------------------ Ethics code: IR.MUMS. FHMPM.REC.1403.028 Clinical trials code: -------------------------------------
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