Zeitschrift für Ernährungsstörungen und Therapie

Abstrakt

Determinants of Severe Acute Malnutrition among Under 5 Children

Reena Khulal

Malnutrition has been major public health problem in all the developing countries. In malnutrition we can see two major cases which is Sever acute malnutrition and Moderate acute malnutrition. In cases of Nepal both SAM and MAM cases are highly found in rural remote areas. Due to geographical condition of Nepal road and transportation are not access to all the areas due to which there is no proper health facilities access. Severe acute malnutrition is one of the major public health problems in developing countries having a devastating effect on the lives of many children under 5 years of age. Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of 5 years in low and middle income countries like India, Nepal, and Bhutan etc. Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) are nine times more likely to die than children without malnutrition. However, the determinants of SAM have not been clearly assessed in the country. Low economic status and frequency of breastfeeding less than 8times/day were major determinants of SAM among children under 5yrs of age. Ending malnutrition will required greater efforts and integrated approaches to eradicate extreme poverty.