Prevalence and Inequality of Childhood Underweight in Bangladesh over Time

Abstract

Abstract Background In Bangladesh, the percentage of children found moderately and severely underweighted are respectively 16.4% and 3.6% all over the country in 2018. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of and factors affecting childhood underweight < 5 years old and to identify socioeconomic inequalities contributing to childhood underweight in Bangladesh. Methods Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey Data (2007, 2011, 2014 & 2017–2018) of 30,940 pairs were used for analysis. Chi-square tests were used to estimate the relationship between the independent variables chosen and underweight, and binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate potential risk factors and decomposition analysis was conducted to assess the inequality. Results Binary logistic regression demonstrated that the children’s age, mother’s BMI, mother’s education level, father’s educational status, child delivery procedure, birth order of the child, recent diarrhea affectedness before the survey, sanitation, and wealth index were discovered to be important variables affecting childhood underweight of children under 5 years old in Bangladesh. Conclusion Associated factors with underweight in this study should be taken into consideration when designing policies and programs making it more effective to eradicate the underweight problem among children in Bangladesh.