Relationship between Nutritional Status, Food Insecurity, and Causes of Hospitalization of Children with Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Background: Healthy nutrition in the early years of life has utmost importance and can significantly influence the health status of individuals in the forthcoming years; thus, one of the most important health - related goals in the early years of a child’s life is proper nutrition. Objectives: Accordingly, the current study aimed at determining the relationship between nutritional status, food insecurity, and causes of hospitalization in children with infectious diseases admitted to a hospital in Ilam, Iran. Methods: In the current cross sectional study, 580 children hospitalized in the ward of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Imam Khomeini Hospital were recruited through the census method. To collect the relevant data, a demographic information questionnaire, the household food security survey module (HFSSM), and tools such as a tape measure and a weighing scale were used. Within these indices, weight - for - age indicated being underweight, weight - to - height represented thinness, and height - for - age showed short stature. The data, in terms of descriptive and inferential statistical tests were analyzed with SPSS version 16. Results: The results revealed that out of the 580 children examined, 192 (33.1%) were moderately underweight, 166 (28.6%) had moderate thinness, and 167 (28.8%) had a moderate short stature. In total, 453 (78.1%) children had food security. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the causes of hospitalization and being underweight, short stature, and thin with food insecurity (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Given the statistically significant relationship between nutritional status, food insecurity, and causes of hospitalization in children, it is necessary to take appropriate interventions to promote nutritional status in children and improve household food security to reduce pediatric hospitalization.