Undernutrition and associated factors among school-age children in Wolaita Zone, South Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

• Published in: Frontiers in nutrition (Lausanne) 2024-09, Vol.11, p.1400276
• Main Authors: Meskele, Dereje Kutafo, Abiso, Temesgen Lera, Belete, Tinsae Bekele, Koyira, Mengistu Meskele, Dake, Samson Kastro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Kindo Didaye district under-nutrition; Non-school feeding program; Nutrition; school feeding program; school-age children; under-nutrition
• ISSN: 2296-861X; 2296-861X
• DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1400276

Nutritional deficiencies in school-age children are a public health concern, especially in resource-limited countries. A school feeding program involves the provision of food on-site or taken home to reduce hunger. It is implemented in several developing nations; however, little is known about the association of school feeding programs with the nutritional status of school-age children in the study area. The study aimed to determine the magnitudes and associated factors of undernutrition among school-age children with school feeding programs (SFPs) and non-school feeding programs (N-SFPs) in Kindo Didaye woreda, South Ethiopia. A school-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Kindo Didaye district from May to June 2023. A total of 612 participants were included in the study. The data were collected from each selected student's parents by using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The weight and height of the children were measured, and a household dietary diversity assessment was conducted. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. A binary logistic regression analysis was carried out. A -value of