Risk factors of poor anthropometric status in children under five years of age living in rural districts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa

  • Maemo S Lesiapeto North-West University
  • Cornelius M Smuts North-West University
  • Susanna M Hanekom North-West University
  • Jan du Plessis North-West University
  • Mieke Faber Medical Research Council
Keywords: Child malnutrition, risk factors, stunting, underweight, overweight, rural, South Africa

Abstract

Objectives: Factors associated with children’s anthropometric status were determined. Design: Secondary analysis was done using data from a cross-sectional survey including children under five years of age (n = 2 485) and their mothers in rural districts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa. Methods: Data generated by questionnaire and anthropometric indices were used to construct a logistic regression model, taking into account hierarchical relationships of risk factors to determine the odds of a child being stunted, underweight or overweight. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Factors associated with stunting were child of male gender (odds ratio (OR) = 1.233), the mother’s perception that child was not growing well (OR = 1.346), household receiving no food handouts (OR = 0.719) and mother not making important household decisions (OR = 0.760). Underweight was associated with child of male gender (OR = 1.432), low maternal education (OR = 1.720), mother’s perception that child was not growing well (OR = 2.526), any current breastfeeding (children < 24 months: OR = 2.022), and prior gastrointestinal symptoms (OR = 1.527). Factors associated with child overweight were the household not having a regular source of income (OR = 1.473), low maternal education (OR = 0.595) and mother’s perception that child is not growing well (OR = 0.361). Conclusion: Boys were more likely to be stunted and/or underweight. Children of mothers with less than five years schooling were more likely to be underweight. A regular source of household income was associated with child overweight/obesity.

Author Biographies

Maemo S Lesiapeto, North-West University
MSc Centre of Excellence in Nutrition North-West University
Cornelius M Smuts, North-West University
Professor in Nutrition Centre of Excellence in Nutrition North-West University
Susanna M Hanekom, North-West University
PhD (Dietetics) Centre of Excellence in Nutrition North-West University
Jan du Plessis, North-West University
Professor Department of Statistics North-West University
Mieke Faber, Medical Research Council
PhD Nutritional Intervention Research Unit Medical Research Council Tygerberg
Published
2010-11-21
How to Cite
Lesiapeto, M., Smuts, C., Hanekom, S., du Plessis, J., & Faber, M. (2010). Risk factors of poor anthropometric status in children under five years of age living in rural districts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 23(4), 202-207. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/457
Section
Original Research