Nutritional status of children in slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh

The nutritional status of children in slums of Dhaka is a sensitive indicator of health, economy and the sustainable development of Bangladesh. The research highlights the consequence of anthropometric measurements and nutritional status related other issues are taken of 102 children. The survey with a structured questionnaire was conducted by the researcher during 15th April 2015 to 6th June, 2015 among 102 children aged between 2 to 12 years from Mirpur, Kuril and Kamalapur slums (N=102) in Dhaka city. To determine hypothesis statistical data analysis QtiPlot and MS Excel software tools were used and hypothesis were tested. Bi-variant and analyses were used to determine the nutritional status of children and identify the relationship of common factors with the nutritional status of children. The research presents a number of results, 33.5% of the children age between 2 to 12 years are suffering from malnutrition. According to the BMI results, 32% of the children have undernourished problem. The socio-economical status of the children are pitiable. The children families mean monthly household incomes are affecting their health and nutritional status. The study reveals that 76.4% of the children are suffering from diseases for last one month because of their sanitation and hygiene status. The research also highlights the nutritional status of the children influenced by their parents awareness, socio-economical and demographic condition, nutrient intake, breastfeeding practice, good hygiene practice, sanitation system. Malnutrition along with high morbidity rates, this action may occur the children from their future unexpected problem during motherhood and hamper cognitive development. Nutritional education programs need to be implemented to improve the nutritional status. The present study generates information which indicates that the nutritional status of the children should not be overlooked and suitable approaches designed to improve their nutrition should be considered and studies elaborately in the future.