Malnutrition status of children aged under-5 years in Bangladesh: evidence from BDHS 2017-2018

Abstract Background Malnutrition is a major risk factor to create permanent, widespread damage to child's growth, development and well-being. This study aimed to determine the risk factors of malnutrition status of below five-years aged children in Bangladesh. Methods Analysis was conducted using data from Bangladesh Demographic & Health Survey (BDHS, 2017-18). A total number of 8402 under five-year old children’s data from BDHS 2017-18 were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and binary logistic regression models were implemented to examine the prevalence of malnutrition status and its association with the different selected socio-demographic factors in this study. Results The study found that the prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight of under-5 children were 31.0%, 8.8%, 22.0% and 2.4% respectively. Current age of children, division, mothers’ educational level, mothers’ height and BMI were found to be significant predictors for stunting and underweight children. Whereas, sex of child, mothers’ educational level and mothers’ BMI significantly impacted wasting. Furthermore, children’s overweight status was significantly associated with sex of child, current age of children, division, wealth index, mothers’ height and BMI. Conclusions Several geographical and socio-demographic factors significantly impacted on malnutrition status of Bangladeshi under-five children. Therefore, government of Bangladesh and other health authorities should focus on the findings of this study to develop and implement concrete policies in the aim to reduce complications arising from under-five child malnutrition in Bangladesh.