Purpose
This study investigated the nutritional status of ethnic (belonging to minority groups) preschool children in Northern Thailand.
Methods
In this cross-sectional descriptive study, the sample group included 147 parents and 147 preschool children (2-6 years old). Participants volunteered to complete a questionnaire on the personal information of children and parents, as well as family- and school-related factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a nutritional status calculator, and logistic regression analysis.
Results
A birth weight of less than 2,500 g was related to weight-for-age and weight-for-height. Not having been breastfed and having been breastfed for less than 6 months were related to weight-for-height. An elementary school education level among parents was related to children's height-for-age. Familial unhealthy food consumption for 1-2 days per week was related to weight-for-age and height-for-age.
Conclusion
This study reflects the importance of nutritional care for children at the beginning of pregnancy and continuing to the preschool age, as well as the importance of breastfeeding. Families were found to be a key factor in supporting good nutrition among children.

Purpose
This study aimed to identify small for gestational age (SGA) infants' growth patterns, nutritional status, and associated factors.
Methods
This prospective cohort study was conducted at primary-care child health clinics in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The sample consisted of infants who fulfilled the criteria and were born in 2019. The anthropometric data of infants were assessed at birth and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
Results
A total of 328 infants were analysed. In total, 27.7%(n=91) of the subjects were SGA infants, and 237 of them were not. Significant differences in the median weight-for-age and length-for-age z-scores were observed between SGA and non-SGA infants at birth, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. There was a significant difference between the growth patterns of SGA and non-SGA infants. Birth weight and sex significantly predicted the nutritional status(stunting and underweight) of SGA infants during their first year of life.
Conclusion
SGA infants can catch up to achieve normal growth during their first year of life. Even though the nutritional status of SGA infants trends worse than non-SGA infants, adequate infant birth weight monitoring and an emphasis on nutritional advice are crucial for maintaining well-being.

Citations

• Directed acyclic graph helps to understand the causality of malnutrition in under-5 children born small for gestational age
  Soumya Tiwari, Viswas Chhapola, Nisha Chaudhary, Lokesh Sharma
  Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.2025; 177: 111611.     CrossRef
• Exploring the multifactorial predictors of stunting in children under five: A systematic review of the literature, 2015–2024
  Heti Ira Ayue, Nurdiana Nurdiana, Viera Wardhani, Ani Budi Astuti, Heri Prayitno, Agung Dwi Laksono, Tonny Sundjaya
  Journal of Public Health Research.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Stunting predictors among children aged 0-24 months in Southeast Asia: a scoping review
  Via Eliadora Togatorop, Laili Rahayuwati, Raini Diah Susanti, Julianus Yudhistira Tan
  Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Trajectory Patterns of Weight and Length in Children: From Birth Until 2-Years of Age
  Lais dos Santos, Andressa Cristino de Oliveira, Rafaela Marcondes Silva Lotz, Fernanda Manera, Renata Cordeiro Fernandes, Barbara Moreira Castilho, Doroteia Aparecida Höfelmann
  Journal of the American Nutrition Association.2024; 43(8): 686.     CrossRef
• Growth Status of Full-Term Infants with Different Sizes for Gestational Age During the First Year of Life
  Zhuo-Ren Zhou, Yong Guo
  Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics.2024; Volume 15: 265.     CrossRef
• Journal statistics, directions for development, and appreciation for reviewers
  Hyun Young Koo
  Child Health Nursing Research.2022; 28(1): 5.     CrossRef