ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at assessing the Anthropometric characteristics and feeding patterns of children 2-5years in Rural Communities in Ikwuano and Umuahia North Local Government Areas. A cross sectional study was conducted on 383 household in Ikwuano and Umuahia North LGA. A multi-stage sampling was adopted in selecting the respondents from the 4 communities (Umudike, Umuariaga, Ahiaeke and Government College) used in the study.  Data was collected with a validated questionnaire and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Anthropometric indices measurement carried out using the standard procedure and were calculated using the WHO Anthro software. Descriptive analysis was used for the general characteristics of the respondents.The study showed that 17(8. %) male was wasted compare to 9(5.3%) females. 23(10.8%) of males are stunted compared to 13(7.6%) of the females. About 8(3.8%) of the males were underweight compared to 4(2.3%) females. 29(13.7%) males were overweight compared to 17(9.9%) female. It was observed that there was a significant (p> 0.05) positive correlation between Weight for Age Z-score (WAZ), Height for Age Z-score (HAZ) and mothers age, mothers educational level, mothers estimated monthly income, fathers age and fathers educational level. In addition, there was a significant (p> 0.05) positive correlation between Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and birth weight of child. The results of the study showed that the prevalence of malnutrition among under-five children in the study area is lower than the national average. On the whole, under-five nutritional status in the study fell within the recommendations by WHO because of the relatively low percentage of under-nutrition among children in the study area.