The growth and nutritional status of preschool children aged 4 - 5 years in Phu My district, Binh Dinh province

Abstract

The article aims to provide accurate scientific data on the growth and nutritional status of preschool children aged four to five years of age in Phu My District, Binh Dinh Province. The study was conducted on 1409 children aged 4-5 (including 711 boys and 698 girls) from preschools in Phu My District, Binh Dinh Province. The average heights of boys aged four and five are 104.65 cm and 109.37 cm, respectively; and 95.63 cm and 108.25 cm with girls, respectively. The average weights of boys aged four and five are 17.65 kg, 19.14 kg, and 16.86 kg and 18.01 kg in girls, respectively. In boys aged 4-5, there are no severely malnourished children, but the obesity rate is high (5.57% and 8.5%). Female children have a high overweight index (4-year-old children account for 10.83% and 5-year-old children 10.25%). The proportion of children with moderate malnutrition in suburban areas is the highest among the three regions. Overweight and obesity account for the highest proportion in the district center (21.73% and 6.37% respectively).