The role of mother’s education in the nutritional status of children in Serbia

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15092516
AutoresŽeljka Stamenković (0000-0003-4954-9224, University of Belgrade, autor correspondente), Bosiljka Djikanovic (0000-0001-8288-6391, University of Belgrade), Ulrich Laaser (0000-0001-5889-4471, Bielefeld University), Vesna Bjegović-Mikanović (0000-0002-8299-6555, University of Belgrade)
Ano2016
Volume19
Fascículo15
Páginas2734-2742
Data de publicação2016-10-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980016000768
PMID27087502
OpenAlexW2337104581
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas8
Referências citadas34

Objective The present study aimed to identify the role of mother’s education in the nutritional status of children aged 2–5 years in Serbia. Design Nationally representative population-based study. Age- and gender-specific BMI percentiles of children were analysed. In accordance with the WHO growth reference, children with BMI less than the 5th percentile were considered undernourished. Logistic regression was used to calculate the association between mother’s education and other socio-economic determinants as possible confounders. Setting UNICEF’s fourth Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, conducted in both Roma and non-Roma settlements in Serbia. Subjects Children ( n 2603) aged 2–5 years (mean age 3·05 years). Results Less than 5 % of children aged 2–5 years were undernourished. There were significantly more undernourished children among the Roma population, in the capital of Serbia and among those whose mothers were less educated. There were statistically significant differences according to mother’s education in all socio-economic characteristics (ethnicity, area, region of living and wealth index). Mother’s level of education proved to be the most important factor for child’s nutritional status; place of living (region) was also associated. Conclusions Mother’s education is the most significant predictor of children’s undernutrition. It confirms that investment in females’ education will bring benefits and progress not only for women and their children, but also for society as a whole

Body mass index · Environmental health · Ethnic group · Fertility · Logistic regression · Malnutrition · Percentile · Political science · Population · Socioeconomic status · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Demography · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Romani and Gypsy Studies