Sarcouncil Journal of Medical Sciences

Abstract: Adequate nutrition is essential in early childhood to ensure healthy growth, proper organ formation and function, a strong immune system and neurological and cognitive development. Child malnutrition impacts cognitive function and contributes to poverty through impeding individuals’ ability to lead productive lives. In addition, it is estimated that more than one-third of under-five deaths are attributable to under nutrition. Maternal health status, habits, and environment during and even before pregnancy profoundly impact the health and well-being of a child. Thus, achieving optimal child health is dependent upon optimizing the health and well-being of a child’s mother. The purpose of this research is to identify the present situation of maternal anthropometry, socioeconomic status and nutritional status of under five children in selected area of Mymensingh district. Structured questionnaire was used for this descriptive cross-sectional study and sampling technique was random non- provable sampling. Collected 300 data was analyzed by SPSS and Microsoft Excel Software. This research found that according to Water low classification greater part of the children was stunted (54%). Only 17.7% of the children were found here to be normal. 16% of the children were both stunted and wasted, 12.3% children were wasted and also found that about two third of the mothers were normal BMI whereas only 11.67% were underweight. On the other hand, 22% and 2.33% mothers were found overweight and obese respectively. According to SES Score large number of mothers was found in lower class (61%). In remaining 29% belongs to lower middle class, 9.67% was from middle class. Only 0.33% mother belongs to upper middle class. None of the mother was in upper class. This study found a highly significant association between maternal anthropometric status and total family income. Here Chi-Square value is 39.63 and P-Value is 0.001. The study also found significant association between maternal anthropometric status and birth weight of the children (Chi-Square value is 19.072 and P-Value is 0.025). Innovative interventions of reaching health care, immunization, health and nutrition education to the people need to be evolved on priority.