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 American Journal of  
Food Science and Technology (AJFST)

Malnutritional Status of  6-59 months Childs of  Rural Families in Dinajpur Districts
Bangladesh

Monika Khatun Sharna1, Masuma Tunazzin Rim2, Anusree Ghosh3*, Anwara Akter Khatun4, Uttam Kumar Majumder5

Volume 3 Issue 2, Year 2024
ISSN: 2834-0086 (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajfst.v3i2.3023
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajfst

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: May 21, 2024

Accepted: June 25, 2024

Published: June 27, 2024

The present status of  malnutrition among the children of  6-59 months old was assessed from 
the rural families in selected areas of  Dinajpur district. Anthropometric methods and the 
data were collected through a face-to-face interview using a semi-structured questionnaire. 
The prevalence of  malnutrition was assessed using three indicators: stunting, under-weight, 
and wasting following the WHO guidelines and cut-off  points.  165 children (6-59 months) 
and their household of  three Upazila (Kaharole, Dinajpur Sadar and Birganj) in Dinajpur 
district were considered for study subjects. The prevalence of  stunting, underweight, and 
wasting of  6-59 months old children in Dinajpur was 38.8%, 41.3%, and 12.1%, respectively. 
The mean height of  male and female children were 82.99 cm and 84.15 cm. The mean 
weight of  male and female children was 10.97 kg and 10.78 kg. Female children are more 
susceptible to malnutrition than male children. The main contributing factors for stunting 
and wasting children were religion, monthly income of  the family, parent education, criteria 
of  child’s daily activity, and consumption of  egg, cow milk, citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, 
other vegetables, rice, and pulses.

Keywords

Bangladesh, Children, 
Malnutrition, Public Health, 
Stunting

1 BRAC Health Programme, Manikganj, Bangladesh
2 Department of  Food Science and Engineering, Faculty of  Engineering Sciences, German University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
3 School of  Education, Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
4 Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh
5 Statistics discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: anusreeghosh62@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION
In the Asian region, Bangladesh had one of  the highest 
prevalence of  malnutrition over the last two decades.  
Although Neonatal mortality, infant mortality, and 
under-5 mortalities have decreased, stunting, wasting, and 
underweight percentages of  children are still very high 
compared globally.  Children under the age of  5 years are 
at risk of  malnutrition, especially those under 2 years of  
age more susceptible to undernutrition.  Malnutrition is 
a condition that occurs when certain vital nutrients are 
deficient in a person’s diet. The deficiency fails to meet the 
demands of  the body, leading to effects on the growth, 
physical health, mood, behavior, and other functions of  
the body. Malnutrition has both short term and long-
term consequences. The term malnutrition covers two 
broad groups of  conditions. One is ‘undernutrition’—
which includes stunting (low height for age), wasting 
(low weight for height), underweight (low weight for age) 
and micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies (a lack 
of  important vitamins and minerals) such as vitamin A 
deficiency, anemia and iron deficiency, iodine deficiency 
disorder (IDD), etc. The other is overweight, obesity and 
diet-related non-communicable diseases (such as heart 
disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer). Children under 5 
are also affected by macro and micronutrient deficiencies. 
Various factors influence malnutrition among children 
such as socio-demographic, environmental, reproductive, 
institutional, cultural, political, and regional factors 
(UNICEF-WHO-The World Bank, 2012). Malnutrition 
among children also depend on poor nutrition, 
inadequate food intake, inadequate breastfeeding of  

child, safe water. The growth of  children greatly depend 
on food. Lack of  food results in undernutrition, which 
can slow the growth of  a child. Poor nutrition can also 
lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to 
disease, impaired physical and mental development, 
and reduced productivity which is irreversible. Good 
nutrition – an adequate, well-balanced diet combined 
with regular physical activity – is a cornerstone of  good 
health. Healthy children are better in education, stronger, 
more productive, and more able to create opportunities 
to break the cycle of  both poverty and hunger in a 
sustainable way (WHO, 2008).  Malnutrition is alarming 
for developing countries including Bangladesh. It is 
due to improper knowledge about nutrition of  food, 
ignorance, improper diet, illiteracy, lower family income, 
poverty, mother occupation, father occupation, densely 
populated area, sanitation, unhygienic environment, 
mother education about nutrition, family size, practice of  
breastfeeding, complete immunization is significant with 
nutritional status of  children. An unhygienic environment 
and lack of  sanitation lead to illness fever, diarrhea which 
can result in malnutrition.  Low birth weight, low height, 
and weight of  mothers who do not breastfeed also 
manipulate malnutrition. Food insecurity, particularly 
due to insufficient food access caused by high levels of  
poverty, as well as food price volatility, natural disasters, 
and limited land for cultivation. (Bosak et al, 2018).
It is necessary to increase the sincerity to find out the 
determinants of  undernutrition and take efficient 
action to eliminate it in Low- and Middle-Income 
Countries (LMICs) like Bangladesh. Although various 



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NGO and government are working for malnutrition, 
lack of  coordination to act on nutrition between 
and among government ministries, donors, different 
levels of  government, and implementing bodies, such 
as nongovernmental organizations, at the local level 
(Chaparro et al., 2014) make it difficult to eradicate 
malnutrition. This study aimed to explore the stunted, 
wasted, and underweight status of  children (6-59 months 
old) in the study area in Dinajpur district, Bangladesh. The 
study’s objective was to know the prevalence of  nutrition 
and health status of  children of  the rural populations.

MATERIALS AND METHOD
The community-based cross-sectional study was 
conducted at different locations in the Dinajpur district 
of  Bangladesh. The study area mainly covered Dinajpur 
Sadar, Kaharole, and Birganj upazila of  Dinajpur 
district. Dinajpur is one of  the extreme northern 
districts of  Bangladesh. In Dinajpur, the poverty level is 
comparatively high compared with the national average. 
The study period was January 2017 to January 2018. 

Sampling Design and Sample Size
The sample size was determined using the formula: n = 
z2pq / d2

Where,
n = required sample size
z = 90% of  confident limits (1.645)
P= 0.36(The prevalence rate of  stunting status of  under 
five children in Bangladesh (BDHS, 2014). 
d = Precision or error allowed in the study = 6.5% = 
0.065
n= Z2 × p(1-p)/m2 = (1.645)2 × 0.36 × 0.64/ (0.065)2 =147
To find the adjusted sample size, allowing nonresponse rate 
of  20%, the adjusted sample size will be 147+20%=176. 
But in this study the children of  under five families were 
found for data collection as sample 165.

Data Collection Instruments
A pre-coded and pre-tested questionnaire was 
administered to the respondents by asking questions. 
Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected by 
interviewing. The questionnaire was designed to collect 
a bulk of  socio-economic, demographic characteristics, 
health, intake of  food related questions.

Variables Used for this Study
Dependent and independent variables were selected first, 
before performing any statistical analysis.

Independent Variables
1. Age of  children
2. Gender of  children
3. Child breast feeding status
4. Educational level of  mother
5. Educational level of  father
6. Religion of  family
7. Father occupation
8. Mother occupation

9. Monthly income of  family
10. Total number of  children of  the family
11. Number of  children under 5 years of  age

Dependent Variables
1. Height-for-age Z-scores
2. Weight-for-age Z-scores
3. Weight-for-height Z-scores

Assessment of  Nutritional Status
There are several ways to assess the nutritional status of  
children.

Stunting
Stunting referred to low height-for-age. A child who is 
stunted or chronically malnourished often appears to 
be normally proportioned but is actually shorter than 
normal for his/her age. Due to poor diets or recurrent 
infections Children who suffer from growth retardation 
tend to be at greater risk for illness and death. The effects 
of  stunting are largely irreversible and generally occurs 
before age two.

Wasting
Wasting, or low weight for height, is a sturdy predictor 
of  mortality among children under five. Wasting indicates 
current or acute malnutrition resulting from failure to 
gain weight or actual weight loss (Cogill,2003). It is the 
result of  insufficient food intake or a high incidence of  
infectious diseases, especially diarrhea. It impairs the 
execution of  the immune system and can lead to enlarged 
harshness and duration of  and vulnerability to infectious 
diseases and an increased risk for death.

Underweight
Underweight means below a weight considered normal 
or desirable. A person may become underweight due to 
metabolism, drug use, lack of  food (frequently due to 
poverty), eating disorder, or illness (both physical and 
mental), genetics, etc.

Anthropometric Indices
Anthropometric indices are an essential part of  the 
interpretation of  anthropometric measurements 
(WHO,1986). Indices are formed from two or more 
raw anthropometric measurements. Various types of  
anthropometric indices are:

Weight for Age Z - Scores (WAZ)
According to UNICEF, Moderate and severe - below 
minus two standard deviations from median weight 
for age of  reference population; severe - below minus 
three standard deviations from median weight for age 
of  reference population. W/A is commonly used for 
monitoring growth and to assess changes in the magnitude 
of  malnutrition over time. Weight for age composite 
measure of  height-for-age and weight-for-height, making 
interpretation difficult.  Weight for age reflects body mass 
relative to age. 



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The reference standards (NCHS Cut-off  point) of  height 
and weight data are given below:
Severe (WAZ =< -3.00 SD)
Moderate (-2.99 =<WAZ =< -2.00)
Not underweighted (WAZ > -2.00 SD)

Weight-for-Height Z – Scores (WHZ) 
According to WHO, is defined as a weight-for-age 
between -3 and -2 z-scores below the median of  the 
WHO child growth standards. It can be due to a low 
weight-for-height (wasting) or a low height-for-age 
(stunting) or to a combination of  both. Weight for height 
is a sensitive index of  current nutritional status. The 
reference standards (NCHS Cut-off  point) of  height and 
weight data are given below:
Severe (WHZ =< -3.00 SD)
Moderate (-2.99 =<WHZ =< -2.00)
Not wasted (WHZ > -2.00 SD)

Height-for-Age Z –Scores (HAZ)
Children are defined as stunted if  their height-for-age 
is more than two standard deviations below the WHO 
Child Growth Standards median (WHO, 2018). Low 
H/A relative to a child of  the same sex and age in the 
reference population are referred to as “shortness”. It 
cannot measure short term changes in malnutrition. 
Stunting is a slowing of  skeletal growth and of  stature, 
defined by Waterlow, et. al.  (1977) as “the end result of  a 
reduced rate of  linear growth”. It results from long time 
inadequate food intake and increased morbidity and is 
generally found in developing countries where economic 
conditions are poor. The reference standards (NCHS 
Cut-off  point) of  height and weight data are given below:
Severe (HAZ =< -3.00 SD)
Moderate (-2.99 =<HAZ =< -2.00 SD)
Not stunted (HAZ> -2.00 SD)

Formula for Calculating Z-Scores
Weight for age z= Observed weight at age X – Standard 
weight at age X/Standard deviation of  weight at age X
Height for age= Observed height at height X – Standard 
height at age X/Standard deviation of  height at age X
Weight for height =Observed weight at height X- 
Standard height at height X/Standard deviation of  weight 
at height X

Software Used and Statistical Analysis for the Study
For socio-economic, demographic, health and food 
preferences data analysis, general statistical software 
SPSS22.0 was used. For identifying risk factors associated 
with child health and nutrition ANTHRO software was 
used to calculate Z-scores. For the chi-square test we used 
a custom table. The overall software used for data entry, 
data analysis, graphical representation and writing reports 
were SPSS 22.0, ANTHRO, MS WORD, MS-EXCEL etc. 
Descriptive measures, like, means, variances, proportions, 
standard error of  mean were calculated. To test the 
significance of  the association between two categorical 

variables Chi-square (X2)-test was used.

Logistic (binary) Regression
Binary logistic regression estimates the probability that 
a characteristic is present (e.g., estimate probability of  
‘success”) given the values of  explanatory variables, in 
this case a single categorical variable; π =Pr (Y=1/X=x).

Single Level Binary Logistic Regression
Let Y be a dichotomous dependent variable, say 
nutritional status taking values 0 and 1 and suppose that 
Y=I if  a child is malnourished and Y=0 otherwise. Also 
let X be an independent variable. Then the form of  the 
logistic regression model is

Then a transformation of  P known as the logic 
transformation and is defined as

The importance of  this transformation is that g(x) has 
many of  the desirable properties of  a linear regression 
model. The logic, g(x) is linear in its parameters, may be 
continuous, and may range from -∞ to + ∞ depending on 
the range of  x. For more than one independent variable 
the model can be generalized as

Model Fit
To determine the factors associated with the response 
variables (e.g., stunning, wasting, and underweight) the 
cox’s logistic regression model (single level) was fitted 
and the odds ratio of  occurring an event was calculated 
for different independent variables using SPSS 22.0. All 
the independent variables found significant at the bi-
variate analysis were considered but only the significant 
variables in regression analysis were retained in the final 
regression model. The possibility of  multicollinearity and 
confounding was also explored. Interaction effects were 
tested and reported in the result section where found.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Findings 
The findings from the study are described below. The 
status of  malnutrition noted in the table and graph are of  
the time period 2017 to 2018: 

Food Intake
Table 1 determined the distribution of  food intake 
frequencies of  children (6-59 months) in a week of  
selected households on a categorical scale. This table 
indicated that 57.6% of  children were breastfeeding and 



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42.4% children were not breastfed. 61.8% of  children 
consumed meat sometimes or never, 33.9% consumed 
meat 2-4 days, 4.2% consumed 5-7 times per week. 
Regarding fish, 29.7% consumed sometimes or never, 
47.3% consumed 2-4 times per week, 23% consumed 5-7 
times per week. 35.8% of  children sometimes or never, 
32.7% children 2-4 times per week, 31.5% children 5-7 
times per week consumed egg. Cow milk was consumed 
2-4 times per week by 6.7 % children, 5-7 times per 
week by 23% children and 70.3% children consumed 
sometimes or never. In the case of  citrus fruits, 47.9% 
children sometimes or never, 40% children 2-4 times 
per week, 12.1% children 5-7 times per week were 
consumed. 49.7% children sometimes or never, 33.9% 
children 2-4 times per week, 16.4% children 5-7 times 
per week consumed color fruits. Results implied that 

56.4% children 2-4 times per week, 21.2% children 5-7 
times per week and 22.4% children sometimes or never 
consumed leafy vegetables. Besides, color vegetables were 
consumed by 35.2% children sometimes or never, 2-4 
times per week by 42.4% children, 5-7 times per week 
by 22.4% children.14.5% children sometimes or never, 
67.9% children 2-4 times per week, 17.6% children 5-7 
times per week consumed other vegetables. Most of  the 
children, 94.5% were consumed rice bread and 5.5% 
children were not consumed. In case of  pulses, 47.3% 
children sometimes or never, 33.9% children 2-4 times 
per week, 18.8% children 5-7 times per week consumed 
pulses. 23.1% children sometimes or never 47.3% 
children 2-4 times per week, 29.1% children 5-7 times per 
week consumed cake, biscuits etc.

Table 1: Percentage distribution of  food intake frequencies of  children per week of  selected rural families having 
children (aged 6-59 months old) in Dinajpur district
Variables Categories No %
Current breastfeeding of  child Yes 95 57.6

No 70 42.4
Subtotal 165 100.0

Meat consumption Sometimes/never 102 61.8
2-4 times/week 56 33.9
5-7 times/week 7 4.2
Subtotal 165 100.0

Fish consumption Sometimes/never 49 29.7
2-4 times/week 78 47.3
5-7 times/week 38 23.0
Subtotal 165 100.0

Egg consumption Sometimes/never 59 35.8
2-4 times/week 54 32.7
5-7 times/week 52 31.5
Subtotal 165 100.0

Cowmilk consumption Sometimes/never 116 70.3
2-4 times/week 11 6.7
5-7 times/week 38 23.0
Subtotal 165 100.0

Citrus fruit consumption Sometimes/never 79 47.9
2-4 times/week 66 40.0
5-7 times/week 20 12.1
Subtotal 165 100.0

Color fruit consumption Sometimes/never 82 49.7
2-4 times/week 56 33.9
5-7 times/week 27 16.4
Subtotal 165 100.0

Leafy vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 37 22.4
2-4 times/week 93 56.4
5-7 times/week 35 21.2
Subtotal 165 100.0



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Color vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 58 35.2
2-4 times/week 70 42.4
5-7 times/week 37 22.4
Subtotal 165 100.0

Other vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 24 14.5
2-4 times/week 112 67.9
5-7 times/week 29 17.6
Subtotal 165 100.0

Rice, bread consumption Yes 156 94.5
No 9 5.5
Subtotal 165 100

Pulse consumption Sometimes/never 78 47.3
2-4 times/week 56 33.9
5-7 times/week 31 18.8
Subtotal 165 100.0

Cake, biscuits consumption Sometimes/never 39 23.6
2-4 times/week 78 47.3
5-7 times/week 48 29.1
Subtotal 165 100

Nutritional Status of  Children Under –Five of  
Selected Rural Families and Identification of  Causal 
Factors
Table 2 showed that the average height of  boys and girls 
were 82.99 cm and 84.16 cm. The average weight of  
boys and girls were 10.97 kg and 10.78 kg weight were 
significant. It indicated the average height of  female 
children were higher than male children. But the average 
weight of  male and female children was almost the same. 
The average weight for age for boy and girl were -1.53 SD 

and -1.66 SD. It showed that the value was greater than 
-2 SD which indicated normal underweight. The average 
height for age for boy and girl was -1.64 SD and -1.71 SD 
which were greater than -2 SD and also showed normal 
stunting status. The average weight for height of  boy and 
girl was height -.67 SD and -.75 SD that were also greater 
than – 2 SD which showed normal wasting. Results of  
average z-scores also indicated that the prevalence of  
stunting, wasting and underweight children for female 
was higher than male children.

Table 2: Mean, Standard deviation and Standard error of  mean of  anthropometric indicators of  6-59 months old 
children of  selected rural families by gender, 2017-18.
Gender N Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean
Height(cm) Boy 82 82.9906 13.25411 1.46367

Girl 83 84.1566 11.74473 1.28915
P value (t-test) .114
Weight(kg) Boy 82 10.9721 3.10307 .34268

Girl 83 10.7867 2.40962 .26449
P value (t-test) .006
Weight for age Boy 82 -1.5356 1.10017 .12149

Girl 83 -1.6698 1.12128 .12308
P value (t-test) .646
Height for age Boy 82 -1.6483 1.29220 .14270

Girl 83 -1.7187 1.44628 .15875
P value (t-test) .470
Weight for height Boy 82 -.6723 1.20067 .13259

Girl 83 -.7504 1.19436 .13110
P value (t-test) .921



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Table 3 demonstrated the mean and standard error of  
mean of  the anthropometric indices according to age 
category of  selected surveyed children of  6-59 months 
old.  For children aged 6-12 months old, the mean of  
height of  boy and girl were 67.25 cm and 63.71 cm. For 
children aged 13-24 months old, the mean of  height of  
boy and girl were 76.87 cm and 74.19 cm.  For children 
aged 25 and above months old, the mean of  height 
of  boy and girl were 92.17 cm and 90.56 cm. It clearly 
indicated that for each group of  age the average height of  
male is higher than female. The average weight of  male 
and female children were 7.47 kg and 7.81 kg for aged 
6-12 months old, 9.52 kg and 8.78 for aged 13-24 months 
old, 13.04 kg and 11.93 kg for aged 25 and above months 
old children. Results indicated that weight of  boy and 
girl was almost same at the age of  6-12 months old, but 
weight of  male was higher than female for remaining two 
group.  The mean z-scores value of  weight for age for 
boy (-1.25 SD) and girl (-.39 SD) for aged 6-12 months 
old, boy (-1.89 SD) and girl ( -1.71 SD) for 13-24 months 
old, boy (-1.55 SD) and girl (-1.82 SD) which were greater 
than -2SD that indicates normal underweight of  children 

for each group. The mean z-scores value of  height for 
age for boy (-1.35 SD) and girl (-2.04 SD) for aged 6-12 
months old, boy (-1.93 SD) and girl ( -1.98 SD) for 13-
24 months old, boy (-1.69 SD) and girl (-1.58 SD) which 
were greater than -2SD that indicates normal underweight 
of  children for each group. At age 6-12 months female 
were moderately stunted where male was normal. The 
remaining two group of  age were normal. The mean 
z-scores value of  weight for height for boy (-.51 SD) and 
girl (1.68 SD) for aged 6-12 months old, boy (-.83 SD) and 
girl (-.68 SD) for 13-24 months old, boy (-.69 SD) and girl 
(-1.09 SD) which were greater than -2SD that indicates 
normal wasting status of  children for each group.
Among the 6-59 months old children of  selected rural 
families. Among the children, 61.2% were not stunted, 
22.4% were moderately stunted and 16.4% were severely 
stunted. Whereas 58.8% were not underweight, 35.2% 
were moderately uunderweight and 6.1% were severely 
underweight. Findings also shows that among them 
87.9% of  children were not wasted. 9.1% were moderately 
wasted, and 3% were severely wasted.

Table 3: Mean, Standard deviation and Standard error of  mean of  anthropometric indicators according to age 
category of  6-59 months old children of  selected rural families by gender, 2017-18.
Age in 
months

6-12 13-24 25 and above

Gender Boy Girl Boy Girl Boy Girl
Mean SE Mean SE Mean SE Mean SE Mean SE Mean SE

Height(cm) 67.25 1.13 63.71 1.02 76.87 1.55 74.19 1.12 92.17 1.31 90.56 1.08
Weight(kg) 7.47 0.30 7.81 0.42 9.52 0.51 8.78 0.26 13.04 0.31 11.93 0.27
Weight for 
age

-1.25 0.29 -0.39 0.52 -1.89 0.36 -1.71 0.23 -1.55 0.12 -1.82 0.14

Height for 
age

-1.35 0.29 -2.04 0.63 -1.93 0.35 -1.98 0.37 -1.69 0.19 -1.58 0.18

Weight for 
height

-0.51 0.37 1.68 0.39 -.83 0.41 -0.68 0.18 -0.69 0.11 -1.09 0.13

Table 4: Stunting status of  children according to socio-demographic, economic and household charateristics of  
selected rural families having children (aged 6-59 months old) in Dinajpur district, 2017-2018.
Variables Categories Stunting status

Not Stunting Stunting
No  % No  %

Age of  children in months 6-12 17 16.8 11 17.2
13-24 18 17.8 18 28.1
25 and above 66 65.3 35 54.7
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 2.636NS

Gender Male 51 50.5 31 48.4
Female 50 49.5 33 51.6
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square .066 NS



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Religion Muslim 79 78.2 58 90.6
Hindu and others 22 21.8 6 9.4
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 4.280*

Type of  family Nuclear 79 78.2 43 67.2
Joint 22 21.8 21 32.8
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 2.474 NS

Father occupation Farmer 35 34.7 22 34.4
Day labour 38 37.6 26 40.6
Service holder and other 28 27.7 16 25.0
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square .201 NS

Mother occupation Housewife 81 80.2 53 82.8
Day labour 11 10.9 6 9.4
Service holder and other 9 8.9 5 7.8
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square .176 NS

Monthly income of  family 
(Tk)

=<10000 58 57.4 27 42.2
>10000 43 42.6 37 57.8
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 3.642***

Mother education No formal education 29 28.7 9 14.1
Primary 48 47.5 44 68.8
Secondary and above 24 23.8 11 17.2
subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 7.615*

Father education No formal education 32 31.7 20 31.2
Primary 39 38.6 35 54.7
Secondary and above 30 29.7 9 14.1
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 6.314*

Total number of  children 
of  family

1 41 40.6 27 42.2
2-3 and above 60 59.4 37 57.8
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square .041 NS

Number of  children under 
5 year

1 81 80.2 49 76.6
2 20 19.8 15 23.4
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square .310 NS

Criteria of  child's daily 
activity

Very active 92 91.1 61 95.3
Active several hours 9 8.9 3 4.7
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 1.036 NS

Note: Level of  significance*p<0.05, **P<0.01, **P<0.10, NS = Not Significant

Table 4 clearly shows the association with stunting status 
of  children according to socio-demographic, economic 
and household characteristics of  selected families. Results 

revealed that religion, monthly income of  family mother 
education, father education had significant association 
with stunting status of  children.



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Table 5: Underweighting status of  children according to socio-demographic, economic and household charateristics 
of  selected rural families having children (aged 6-59 months old) in Dinajpur district, 2017-2018
Variables Categories Underweighting status

Not underweighted Underweighted
No  % No  %

Age of  children in months 6-12 20 20.6 8 11.8
13-24 18 18.6 18 26.5
25 and above 59 60.8 42 61.8
subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square 3.000 NS

Gender Male 53 54.6 29 42.6
Female 44 45.4 39 57.4
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square 2.300 NS

Religion Muslim 76 78.4 61 89.7
Hindu and others 21 21.6 7 10.3
subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square 3.658***

Type of  family Nuclear 71 73.2 51 75.0
Joint 26 26.8 17 25.0
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .068 NS

Father occupation Farmer 34 35.1 23 33.8
Day labour 34 35.1 30 44.1
Service holder and other 29 29.9 15 22.1
subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square 1.786 NS

Mother occupation Housewife 76 78.4 58 85.3
Day labour 13 13.4 4 5.9
Service holder and other 8 8.2 6 8.8
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square 2.447 NS

Monthly income of  family 
(Tk)

=<10000 52 53.6 33 48.5
>10000 45 46.4 35 51.5
subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .413 NS

Mother education No formal education 21 21.6 17 25.0
Primary 53 54.6 39 57.4
Secondary and above 23 23.7 12 17.6
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .941 NS

Father education No formal education 33 34.0 19 27.9
Primary 39 40.2 35 51.5
Secondary and above 25 25.8 14 20.6
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square 2.055 NS



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Total number of  children 
of  family

1 39 40.2 29 42.6
2-3 and above 58 59.8 39 57.4
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .098 NS

Number of  children under 
5 year

1 75 77.3 55 80.9
2 22 22.7 13 19.1
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .304 NS

Criteria of  child's daily 
activity

Very active 91 93.8 62 91.2
Active several hours 6 6.2 6 8.8
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .413 NS

Note: Level of  significance*p<0.05, **P<0.01, **P<0.10, NS = Not Significant

Table 6: Wasting status of  children according to socio-demographic, economic and household charateristics of  
selected rural families having children (aged 6-59 months old) in Dinajpur district, 2017-2018. 
Variables Categories Wasting status

Not wasting Wasting
No  % No  %

Age of  children in months 6-12 23 15.9 5 25.0
13-24 32 22.1 4 20.0
25 and above 90 62.1 11 55.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square 1.043 NS

Gender Male 73 50.3 9 45.0
Female 72 49.7 11 55.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .201 NS

Religion Muslim 120 82.8 17 85.0
Hindu and others 25 17.2 3 15.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .063 NS

Type of  family Nuclear 108 74.5 14 70.0
Joint 37 25.5 6 30.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .183 NS

Father occupation Farmer 50 34.5 7 35.0
Day labour 56 38.6 8 40.0
Service holder and other 39 26.9 5 25.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .034 NS

Mother occupation Housewife 119 82.1 15 75.0
Day labour 14 9.7 3 15.0
Service holder and other 12 8.3 2 10.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .657 NS



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Monthly income of  family 
(Tk)

=<10000 74 51.0 11 55.0
>10000 71 49.0 9 45.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .111 NS

Mother education No formal education 33 22.8 5 25.0
Primary 80 55.2 12 60.0
Secondary and above 32 22.1 3 15.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .526 NS

Father education No formal education 45 31.0 7 35.0
Primary 65 44.8 9 45.0
Secondary and above 35 24.1 4 20.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .215 NS

Total number of  children 
of  family

1 59 40.7 9 45.0
2-3 and above 86 59.3 11 55.0
subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .135 NS

Number of  children under 
5 year

1 115 79.3 15 75.0
2 30 20.7 5 25.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .195 NS

Criteria of  child's daily 
activity

Very active 137 94.5 16 80.0
Active several hours 8 5.5 4 20.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square 5.467*

Note: Level of  significance*p<0.05**P<0.01, **P<0.10,,  NS = Not Significant

Table 6 clearly showed the association with stunting status 
of  children according to socio –demographic, economic 
and household characteristics of  selected rural families. 

Results revealed that criteria of  child’s daily activity had 
significant association with stunting status of  children.

Table 7: Stunting status of  children according to food intake frequencies of  children per week of  selected rural 
families having children (aged 6-59 months old) in Dinajpur district, 2017-2018.
Variables Categories Stunting status

Not Stunting Stunting
No  % No  %

Do you breastfeed your child Yes 54 53.5 41 64.1
No 47 46.5 23 35.9
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 1.801 NS

Meat consumption Sometimes/never 61 60.4 41 64.1
2-4 times/week 36 35.6 20 31.2
5-7 times/week 4 4.0 3 4.7
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square .357 NS



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Fish consumption Sometimes/never 33 32.7 16 25.0
2-4 times/week 48 47.5 30 46.9
5-7 times/week 20 19.8 18 28.1
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 1.959 NS

Egg consumption Sometimes/never 28 27.7 31 48.4
2-4 times/week 38 37.6 16 25.0
5-7 times/week 35 34.7 17 26.6
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 7.423*

Cow milk consumption Sometimes/never 65 64.4 51 79.7
2-4 times/week 10 9.9 1 1.6
5-7 times/week 26 25.7 12 18.8
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 6.227*

Citrus fruit consumption Sometimes/never 41 40.6 38 59.4
2-4 times/week 44 43.6 22 34.4
5-7 times/week 16 15.8 4 6.2
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 6.687*

Color fruit consumption Sometimes/never 49 48.5 33 51.6
2-4 times/week 33 32.7 23 35.9
5-7 times/week 19 18.8 8 12.5
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 1.150 NS

Leafy vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 22 21.8 15 23.4
2-4 times/week 58 57.4 35 54.7
5-7 times/week 21 20.8 14 21.9
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square .122 NS

Color vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 38 37.6 20 31.2
2-4 times/week 39 38.6 31 48.4
5-7 times/week 24 23.8 13 20.3
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 1.552 NS

Other vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 17 16.8 7 10.9
2-4 times/week 65 64.4 47 73.4
5-7 times/week 19 18.8 10 15.6
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0
Chi-square 1.638 NS

Rice, bread consumption Yes 97 93.1 62 96.9
No 7 6.9 2 3.1
Subtotal 101 100 64 100
Chi-square 1.100 NS

Pulse consumption Sometimes/never 49 48.5 29 45.3
2-4 times/week 34 33.7 22 34.4
5-7 times/week 18 17.8 13 20.3
Subtotal 101 100.0 64 100.0



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Chi-square .220 NS
Cake, biscuits consumption Sometimes/never 26 25.7 13 20.3

2-4 times/ week 46 45.5 32 50
5-7 times/week 29 28.7 19 29.7
Subtotal 101 100 64 100
Chi-square .666 NS

Note:  Level of  significance*p<0.05, **P<0.01, **P<0.10, NS = Not Significant

Table 7 clearly revealed the association with stunting 
status of  children according to food intake frequencies 
of  children per week of  selected rural families. Results 

indicated that consumption of  egg, cow milk, citrus fruit 
per week had significant association with stunting status 
of  children.

Table 8: Underweight status of  children according to food intake of  children per week of  selected rural families 
having children (aged 6-59 months old) in Dinajpur district, 2017-2018.
Variables Categories Underweighting status

Not Underweighted Underweighted
No  % No  %

Do you breastfeed your child Yes 57 58.8 38 55.9
No 40 41.2 30 44.1
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .136 NS

Meat consumption Sometimes/never 64 66.0 38 55.9
2-4 times/week 31 32.0 25 36.8
5-7 times/week 2 2.1 5 7.4
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square 3.569 NS

Fish consumption Sometimes/never 29 29.9 20 29.4
2-4 times/week 45 46.4 33 48.5
5-7 times/week 23 23.7 15 22.1
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .089 NS

Egg consumption Sometimes/never 33 34.0 26 38.2
2-4 times/week 34 35.1 20 29.4
5-7 times/week 30 30.9 22 32.4
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .613 NS

Cow milk consumption Sometimes/never 69 71.1 47 69.1
2-4 times/week 7 7.2 4 5.9
5-7 times/week 21 21.6 17 25.0
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .325 NS

Citrus fruit consumption Sometimes/never 46 47.4 33 48.5
2-4 times/week 39 40.2 27 39.7
5-7 times/week 12 12.4 8 11.8
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .025 NS



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Color fruit consumption Sometimes/never 48 49.5 34 50.0
2-4 times/week 33 34.0 23 33.8
5-7 times/week 16 16.5 11 16.2
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .005 NS

Leafy vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 24 24.7 13 19.1
2-4 times/week 52 53.6 41 60.3
5-7 times/week 21 21.6 14 20.6
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .902 NS

Color vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 34 35.1 24 35.3
2-4 times/week 42 43.3 28 41.2
5-7 times/week 21 21.6 16 23.5
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .106 NS

Other vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 14 14.4 10 14.7
2-4 times/week 65 67.0 47 69.1
5-7 times/week 18 18.6 11 16.2
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .157 NS

Rice, bread consumption Yes 90 92.8 66 97.1
No 7 7.2 2 2.9
Subtotal 97 100 68 100
Chi-square 1.417 NS

Pulse consumption Sometimes/never 46 47.4 32 47.1
2-4 times/week 35 36.1 21 30.9
5-7 times/week 16 16.5 15 22.1
Subtotal 97 100.0 68 100.0
Chi-square .978 NS

Cake, biscuits consumption Sometimes/never 26 26.8 13 19.1
2-4 times/week 41 42.3 37 54.4

30 30.9 18 26.5
Subtotal 97 100 68 100
Chi-square 2.519 NS

Note: Level of  significance*p<0.05, **P<0.01, **P<0.10, NS = Not Significant

Table 9: Wasting status of  children according to food intake of  children per week of  selected rural families having 
children (aged 6-59 months old) in Dinajpur district, 2017-2018.
Variables Categories Wasting status

Not wasting wasting 
No  % No  %

Do you breastfeed your child Yes 84 57.9 11 55.0
No 61 42.1 9 45.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .062 NS

Meat consumption Sometimes/never 91 62.8 11 55.0
2-4 times/week 49 33.8 7 35.0
5-7 times/week 5 3.4 2 10.0



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Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square 1.957 NS

Fish consumption Sometimes/never 42 29.0 7 35.0
2-4 times/week 69 47.6 9 45.0
5-7 times/week 34 23.4 4 20.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .331 NS

Egg consumption Sometimes/never 54 37.2 5 25.0
2-4 times/week 45 31.0 9 45.0
5-7 times/week 46 31.7 6 30.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square 1.801

Cow milk consumption Sometimes/never 103 71.0 13 65.0
2-4 times/week 8 5.5 3 15.0
5-7 times/week 34 23.4 4 20.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square 2.552 NS

Citrus fruit consumption Sometimes/never 69 47.6 10 50.0
2-4 times/week 58 40.0 8 40.0
5-7 times/week 18 12.4 2 10.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square .106 NS

Color fruit consumption Sometimes/never 70 48.3 12 60.0
2-4 times/week 49 33.8 7 35.0
5-7 times/week 26 17.9 1 5.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square 2.290 NS

Leafy vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 32 22.1 5 25.0
2-4 times/week 78 53.8 15 75.0
5-7 times/week 35 24.1 0 .0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square 6.297*

Color vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 48 33.1 10 50.0
2-4 times/week 62 42.8 8 40.0
5-7 times/week 35 24.1 2 10.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square 3.026NS

Other vegetables consumption Sometimes/never 19 13.1 5 25.0
2-4 times/week 97 66.9 15 75.0
5-7 times/week 29 20.0 0 .0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square 5.880***

Rice, bread Yes 139 95.9 17 85
No 6 4.1 3 15
Subtotal 145 100 20 100
Chi-square 4.021***



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Pulse consumption Sometimes/never 66 45.5 12 60.0
2-4 times/week 54 37.2 2 10.0
5-7 times/week 25 17.2 6 30.0
Subtotal 145 100.0 20 100.0
Chi-square 6.146*

Cake, biscuits consumption Sometimes/never 32 22.1 7 35.0
2-4 times/week 69 47.6 9 45.0
5-7 times/week 44 30.3 4 20
Subtotal 145 100 20 100
Chi-square 1.915 NS

Note: Level of  significance*p<0.05, **P<0.01, **P<0.10, NS = Not Significant

Table 9 showed the association with children’s wasting 
status according to children’s food intake frequencies 
per week of  selected families. Results revealed that 
consumption of  leafy vegetables, other vegetables, rice, 
bread, pulses per week had significant association with 
wasting status of  children.
Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to 
identify the factors affecting the stunting status of  the rural 
children in the study area in Dinajpur. For this analysis, 

we merged two categories of  stunting i.e., severe and 
moderate as stunted (code1) and other category remained 
as not stunted (code 0). Various socio-demographic and 
economic variables such as gender, religion, type of  
family, father occupation, mother occupation, monthly 
income of  family, mother education, father education, age 
of  children was inserted in the binary logistic regression 
model as independent categories.

Table 10: Results of  binary logistic regression analysis of  significant studied variables for stunting of  children aged 
6-59 months old of  selected rural families according to socio-demographic, economic and household characteristics 
in selected areas Dinajpur district, 2017-18.
Variables Level B  S.E DF P 

value
Odds 
ratio (OR)

95% C.I. for OR
Lower Upper

Type of  family Nuclear -.776 .401 1 .053 .460 .210 1.011
Joint (RC)  - - - - 1.00 - -

Monthly income 
of  family

=<10000 0.224 .180 1 .003 1.251 0.879 1.780
>10000 (RC) - - - - 1.00 - -

Father education No formal education 1.739 .514 1 .001 5.691 2.080 15.572
Primary 1.700 .573 1 .003 5.472 1.782 16.807
Secondary and above (RC) - - - - 1.00 - -

Note: RC-Reference category; Level of  significance*p<0.05, **P<0.01

Table 10 showed the significant studied variables for 
stunting status of  selected rural families children aged 
6-59 months old at study area in Dinajpur district. The 
variables like type of  family, monthly income of  family 
and father education were statistically significant variables 
with stunting status of  children. Result shows that children 
of  nuclear families were .460 times lower risk of  being 
stunting then joint families. It means the risk of  stunting 
number decreases among children with the increase the 
family members. The families having monthly income <= 

10,000 (TK) had 1.250 times higher risk of  being stunted 
than monthly income of  family more than 10,000 (TK). 
It implied risk of  stunting status reduced among children 
with the increase of  their monthly income.
Children stunting status increased in 5.69 and 5.47 
times for the No formal and Primary educated fathers 
respectively compared to the children of  Secondary 
and above level educated fathers. It indicated that risk 
of  stunted children reduced with the increase of  their 
father’s education.

Table 11: Results of  binary logistic regression analysis of  significant studied variables for stunting of  children aged 
6-59 months old of  selected rural families according to food consumption frequencies of  children in selected areas 
of  Dinajpur district, 2017-18.
Variables Level B  S.E DF P 

value
Odds 
ratio (OR)

95% C.I. for OR
Lower Upper

Fish consumption Sometimes/ never 1.058 .536 1 .020 2.880 1.007 8.236



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2-4 times/week .437 .375 1 .358 1.548 .742 2.228
5-7times/week (RC)  - - - - 1.00 - -

Egg consumption Sometimes/ never 1.019 .475 1 .032 2.772 1.092 7.036
2-4 times/week .062 .484 1 .497 1.064 .412 2.747
5-7times/week (RC) 1.00

Cow milk consumption Sometimes/ never .397  1 .247 1.487 .651 3.396
2-4 times/week .818 .615 1 .048 2.265 .678 2.023
5-7times/week (RC) - - - - 1.00 - -

Note: RC-Reference category; Level of  significance*p<0.05, **P<0.01

In table 11 we used different food consumption habits such 
as meat, fish, egg, cow milk, citrus fruits, color fruits and 
other, leafy vegetables, color vegetables, other vegetables, 
rice, pulses consumption per week to find out the stunting 
status of  children using binary logistic regression model. 
For this analysis, we merged two categories of  stunting i.e., 
severe and moderate as stunted (code1) and other category 
remained as not stunted (code 0).
Table 11 showed the result of  binary logistic regression 
analysis of  significant studied variables for stunting 
of  selected rural families children aged 6-59 months 
old at study area in Dinajpur district. The variables 
like fish consumption, egg consumption and cow milk 
consumption were found statistically significant with 
stunting status of  children. Children who consumed fish 
sometimes/never were 2.280 times higher risk of  being 
stunted than who consumed 5-7 times/week. It implied 
the risk of  stunting reduced among children with the 
increase of  fish consumption. Children who consumed 
egg sometimes/never per week were 2.722 times higher 
risk of  being stunted than who consumed 5-7 times/week. 
It implied the risk of  stunting reduced among children 
with the increase of  egg consumption also. Children 
who consumed cow milk 2-4 times/week were 2.265 
times higher risk of  being stunted than who consumed 
5-7 times/week. That means the risk of  stunting number 
reduced among children with the increase of  cow milk 
consumption the child age under five.

DISCUSSION
Majumdar et. al. (2011) has conducted a similar study 
Socioeconomic and Demographic Determinants: 
Malnutrition of  6-59 Months Old Rural Santal Children 
and Food Security Status of  Their Families in Dinajpur 
during 2011-12. That study found that factor showing 
significant role of  hunger families are age of  HH head, 
occupation of  housewife, earning family members, 
monthly family income and child breastfeeding status. The 
currents study supports the statements. Islam and Biswas 
(2015) stated the same. ng children under the age of  five. 
In rural areas, stunting prevalence rate was found to be 
more than six times higher than in urban areas. Income 
inequality was also a significant predictor of  stunting. 
Similarly, the level of  mother’s education is strongly related 
to stunting: the higher the level of  mothers’ education, 
the lower the prevalence rate of  stunting among children 

under five. Since wealth or income is a strong predictor 
of  place of  residence (urban/rural) as well as mothers’ 
level of  education. Hoque et al. (2016) conducted a 
survey on nutritional Status among under-5 Children of  
a selected slum in Dhaka city. Regarding Anthropometric 
assessment according to weight for height Z-score, 39% 
were wasted moderately and 13% were severely wasted 
and height for age Z-score, showed 47% of  children 
were stunted moderately and 14% children were severely 
stunted. According to weight for age Z- score, 46% of  
children were moderately underweight and 16% children 
were severely underweight. Mustafa et al. (2017) surveyed 
of  nutritional Status of  Children of  Under-5, attending a 
District Hospital – A Secondary Level Care Hospital at 
Gazipur District Hospital. Their findings reflects that the 
rural children are more unfortunate. A study conducted 
by Roy Roy et al. (2015) found that breastfeeding 
practice and monthly family income were significantly 
associated with wasting, stunting and underweight. 
Children who were not exclusively breast fed had higher 
rate of  moderate wasting (59.5%), stunting (70.5%) 
and underweight (74.6%). Children with illiterate father 
were found to have more odd value of  having wasting, 
stunting and underweight compared to literate father. 
Furthermore, early age (6-24 month) of  children is more 
susceptible for malnutrition as compared to the age (25-
59 months) of  children. Bosak et al. (2018) reviewed the 
contribution of  the non-government organizations in 
Bangladesh studying the malnutrition status in Dinajpur. 
Analyses determined that only 21.2% households were 
food secured, while 78.8% households were insecure. 
Among the insecure families about 19.4% households 
were insecure in food without hunger, 20.6% households 
were food insecure with moderate hunger and 38.8% 
families were insecure in food with severe hunger. 
Overall, 59.4% farmers’ families were hunger and rest of  
them was not hunger (40.6%). But food insecurity level 
as well as hunger families were more prevalent among the 
families of  landless farmers compared to marginal and 
small groups. Only 3.6% families give rich foods to the 
female child. Binary logistic regression analysis found 
that total land of  the family, total family members and 
monthly family income were the significant contributing 
factors for determining hunger and not-hunger families. 
According to Rahman et al. (2017) family income, 
maintain proper diet during pregnancy period, proper 



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diet maintains for children have negative significant effect 
on child malnutrition. Debnath et al. (2017) accompanied 
a survey on malnutrition and morbidity profile of  under 
Five in a rural area of  Bangladesh. They found that about 
one-third (33.5%) of  the children were stunted in Height 
for Age Z score. While 23.3% were moderately wasted 
and 6.5% were severely wasted in Weight for Height 
Z score. Severely underweight was 8.6%, 20.6% were 
moderately underweight and 70.8% of  the children’s 
weight was within the normal limit for their age. In MUAC 
measurement, about one-fourth (21.8%) were moderate 
acute malnutrition (MAM) and 1.1% were severe acute 
malnutrition (SAM). Most prevalent disease (45.0%) was 
the diarrhoeal disease with respiratory tract infection was 
32.0% and pneumonia was 18.0%.

CONCLUSION
Although the stunting, underweight, and wasting status 
of  children have decreased in the past few years, the 
percentage rate is still high in Bangladesh and is a serious 
problem for our country. In the study area, the prevalence 
of  underweight children (41.3%) was comparatively 
higher than stunted children (38.8%) and wasted 
children (12.1%). Results showed that the prevalence of  
stunting and underweight status were higher than the 
national level of  Bangladesh, which is very concerning. 
The female children were more stunted, underweighted 
and wasted than male children. Religion, the family’s 
monthly income, the mother’s education, and the father’s 
education were considerably dependent on the stunting 
status of  the children. But wasting status of  children was 
associated with criteria of  child daily activity. Egg, cow 
milk, and citrus fruit consumption was also dependent on 
the stunting status of  children. But leafy vegetables, other 
vegetables, rice bread, and pulse consumption depended 
on children’s wasting status. The type of  family, Monthly 
income of  the family, and the father’s education were 
major determinants of  the stunting status of  children. 
Consumption of  fish, cow milk, and egg were also the 
most important determinants of  the stunting status of  
children. It is necessary to increase awareness about child 
nutrition and the quantity of  food consumed. Educating 
presents by training about the nutrition of  child, nutrition 
of  food and diet chart of  children. Persuading father 
and mother to regularly measure the height and weight 
of  children will improve the situation. Government and 
NGOs should pay concentration to the nutrition status 
of  rural children in relation to underweight and stunting. 

Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Samia Arfin and Junaida Binta 
Rahman for their kind help in data collection in the rural 
area. Tabassum Rahman supports in data accumulation, 
sincere thanks to her. 

REFERENCES
Bosak, L., Majumder, U. K. & Sarker, B. C. (2018).  Food 

Security level and Hunger Status of  a NGO Supported 
Farmers’ Families in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. IOSR 
Journal of  Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) 
23(2), 39-47.

Chaparro, C., Oot, L. & Sethuraman, K. 2014. Bangladesh 
Nutrition Profile. Washington, DC: FHI 360/FANTA.

Cogill, B. (2003). Anthropometric Indicators Measurement 
Guide. Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance 
Project, Academy for Educational Development, 
Washington, D. C.

Debnath, S. C., B. K., Islam, M. Z. & Samin, S. (2017). 
Malnutrition and Morbidity Profile of  Under Five 
Children: A Cross-Sectional Scenario in a Rural Area 
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