Title

FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OLD: A CORELATIONAL STUDY

Author(s)

Jeramie S. Braga

Michelle E. Piquero

Kissa Belle C. Patagan

Georgalynn C. Nique

Affiliation

Misamis University

Degree Program

Bachelor of Science in Midwifery

Contributor

Duyag, Merasol O.

Taghoy, Sammy B.

Santos, Susan N.

Tojino, Amie G.

Year

2022

Abstract

This correlational study examined factors associated with malnutrition among children under five years of age in one of the municipalities of Lanao del Norte, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Primary data were collected using a structured, closed-ended questionnaire administered to mothers or primary caregivers of 22 children aged 0–50 months. Home visits were conducted to obtain socio-demographic information, household food security indicators, infant and young child feeding practices, health care access, and pandemic-related livelihood changes. Anthropometric measurements (weight and length/height) were taken following standard procedures and converted to z-scores for weight-for-age (WFA), height-for-age (HFA), and weight-for-length/height (WFL/H) using World Health Organization reference standards to classify nutritional status. Descriptive statistics summarized sample characteristics and prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting. Bivariate correlational analyses explored relationships between nutritional outcomes and potential determinants such as caregiver education, household income loss, dietary diversity, illness episodes, and access to health services during the pandemic. Findings aim to identify key correlates of malnutrition in this community context and to inform targeted public health and nutrition interventions responsive to pandemic-related vulnerabilities. Despite the limited sample size, the study provides community-level insights into how social and health service disruptions during COVID-19 may have influenced child nutritional status, highlighting priorities for surveillance, program planning, and further research with larger samples.

Keywords

malnutrition, under-five children, anthropometry, covid-19 pandemic, child nutrition determinants