Relationship between Nutrition status and Early Childhood Development in Regional Health 8

Abstract

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to examine the nutritional status, developmental status, and the relationship between nutritional status and early childhood development in Health Region 8. The study sample consisted of 276 early childhood children residing in Health Region 8, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a caregiver interview questionnaire adapted by the researchers from the survey instrument of the project on the situation and models for promoting early childhood development under the transfer of responsibilities to Provincial Administrative Organizations. Data collection was conducted from October 2024 to April 2025. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and associations were examined using the Chi-square test and Odds Ratio (OR), with the level of statistical significance set at 0.05. The results showed that most children were male (51.81%), had normal birth weight (88.04%), had no underlying diseases (89.49%), and had been breastfed (85.87%). Nearly half of the families had a monthly income of 15,001–25,000 THB (46.74%). The primary caregivers were mostly mothers (49.64%), over half of whom had a high level of nutritional knowledge (52.54%), with a mean score of 9.06 ± 1.96. Most children received the DSPM handbook (68.48%) and demonstrated normal developmental status (71.38%), with language delay being the most common area of developmental delay. Overall nutritional status was predominantly normal, although a tendency toward overweight was observed (59.42%). Analysis of the relationship between nutritional status and child development revealed that height-for-age was significantly associated with developmental status (p = 0.021, crude OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.12–4.41). Children with stunting were 2.22 times more likely to experience developmental delay compared with children of normal height-for-age. Based on these findings, early prevention of stunting should be emphasized through age-appropriate nutrition, continuous maternal and child health care, regular monitoring of growth and development, and integrated early childhood development promotion at both family and public health system levels. Particular emphasis should be placed on language development through correct and continuous use of the DSPM handbook, alongside providing caregivers with appropriate nutritional knowledge to reduce the risk of suspected developmental delay. The findings can serve as evidence for health policy planning and for strengthening early childhood development promotion in Health Region 8.