Dual Dietary Intake Problems among Under-Five Years Old Children Living in an Armed Conflict Area of Southern Thailand
Rohani Jeharsae RN*, Rassamee Sangthong MD**, Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong MD**
Affiliation : * Establishment Project, Faculty of Nursing, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand ** Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
This survey examined nutritional intake and the effects of armed conflict on energy-protein inadequacy among children aged one to less than five years. Fifty health centers were randomly selected. Three children were randomly selected from each 12-month old interval age groups in each health center. Four hundred seventy eight children and their primary caregivers were recruited. Food intake was collected from a single 24-hour food recall and was computed to percentage of the Thai Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). Violent event rates were classified by quartiles. Dietary intake stratified by age groups was examined. Logistic regression was used to examine association between armed conflict and inadequacy of food intake. Average of DRI was above 100% for both energy and protein intake. Snacks contributed to one-fourth of energy intake. Inadequacy of energy and protein intake was 27% and 7%, respectively. There was no association between armed conflict and inadequacy of energy and protein consumption.
Keywords : Nutrient inadequacy, Preschool children, Armed conflict
