Background: The main objective of this study was to assess the malnutrition and some
socio-economic related factors based on three ethnic groups among primary school
children in north of Iran in 2010.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out through multistage cluster random
sampling on 5698 subjects (2505 Fars-native, 2154 Turkman, and 1039 Sistani) in 112
schools. Well-trained staffs completed the questionnaire and measured students' weight
and height. Malnutrition estimated the Z-score less than -2SD for underweight, stunting
and wasting were calculated using the cutoffs from WHO references.
Results: Generally, malnutrition was observed in 3.20%, 4.93% and 5.13% based on
underweight, stunting and wasting respectively. It was more common in girls than in
boys and in Sistani than in other ethnic groups. The correlation between malnutrition
based on underweight and stunting and ethnicity was statistically significant (P=0.001).
Results of logistic regression analyses showed that the risk of malnutrition was in rural
area 1.34 times more than urban area, in girls 1.17 times more than boys, in Sistani ethnic
group 1.82 times more than Fars-native ethnic group, in low economic families 2.01
times more than high economic families.
Conclusion: Underweight, stunting and wasting are the health problems in primary
school children in north of Iran with a higher prevalence in girls, in rural areas, and in
Sistani ethnic group.