The epidemiology of good nutritional status among children from a population with a high prevalence of malnutrition

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives:To identify socio-economic demographic and environmental factors that predict better height-for-age for children under 5 years of age in a Dhaka slum population.Design:A panel survey, conducted between 1995 and 1997. A random sample of households was selected. Socio-economic, demographic and environmental variables were collected monthly by questionnaire and nutritional status was assessed.Setting:Dhaka slums in Bangladesh.Subjects:Three hundred and ninety-two children, surveyed in September–November 1996.Main outcome measures:Height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) above −2.Results:Thirty-one per cent of children had HAZ