Objective:
The comprehensive cross sectional study was an attempt to assess the nutritional status of pre- school Chakma ethnic children.
Methods:
A total sample of 374 Chakma ethnic preschool children from 3-5 years age belonging to different socioeconomic status were selected conveniently from Sadar Upazilla of Rangamati. Nutritional status was measured using Z score according WHO classification.
Results:
Moderate to severe underweight, stunted and wasted were 23.8%, 25.6% and 14.7% study subjects while rest of the children were healthy. The prevalence of mild malnutrition was more among girls than boys but opposite scenario in case of moderate and severe malnutrition except severe wasting. Children from housewife mother, no formal education and from lower middle income families suffered more from various grades of malnutrition. Significant association was seen between mother’s occupation and child nutritional status (P=< 0.001). Child nutritional status was significantly associated with education of mother (p=<0.001). Significant association was also found in relation of monthly family income and all form of child nutritional status.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrated that malnutrition among preschool tribal children in Bangladesh is on a decreasing trend and further large scale study including other ethnic communities may be suggested to get precise result.