THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN WOLISO TOWN, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background Different: the study have showed that severe malnutrition during infancy negatively affect mental development. years of life are period of maximal growth and development of human brain. Objective of the study: To investigate the relationship between the nutritional status and mental development of children aged (3-6 years) in Woliso town. Method: simple systematic random sampling study design was used to The relationship between nutritional status and mental development of children in Woliso town central Ethiopia from March 1 – June 20 , 2023 G.C. systematic random sampling technique selected from children who are among age of 3-6 In different kindergarten in Woliso town . Data was collected from study participant through interview method from the children parents. data was analyzed by SPSS version 24 and finally data is presented by table. Result study participants the mean age of the children was 4.48 years (SD= 1.017). greater than half of 204 (51.1%) were female children. At the age of 6 months, 38.6% of the children began supplementary food, while a small percentage of children (6.3%) were introduced to complementary food at an early stage. The remaining 55.1% started late with supplementary food, out of the 399 children, 240 (60.2%) started to stand on their legs at around one year of age. Among the children, 179 (44.9%) were able to remember facts or experiences .The proportions of children with different levels of proficiency vary across these skills. Different levels of proficiency are reported for each skill. Conclusion: Most of children has low balanced diet. Vaccination coverage indicates higher awareness among urban residents. Individual differences were observed in motor skills, memory skills, and abilities, highlighting diverse developmental patterns.