Nutritional Status and Mental Development of Children Under 5 Years of Age in Amhara Region of Ethiopia

Poor iodine nutrition is associated with impaired mental development. This study examined the relationship between indicators of malnutrition and child mental development in an iodine‐deficient region. 1553 children 54–60 mo of age were randomly selected from 60 villages in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Height, weight, goitre status, and socio‐demographic information of participants were taken in a cross‐sectional survey. Wechsler Preschool and Primary School Intelligence and School Readiness scales assessed child mental development. McGill University and local institutions provided ethics approval. Mean scores for family assets (4.3 out of 12), maternal education (0.5 y) and dietary diversity (2.2 out of 7) were low. There was a high prevalence of goitre, underweight, stunting, and wasting (45.9%, 28.9%, 42.6%, and 5.7%, respectively). The matrix reasoning, similarity, and school readiness scores (maximum 19 each) were 7.6, 9.2, and 4.0, respectively; weight‐for‐age (WAZ) and heightfor‐ age (HAZ) positively correlated with all three scores (r=0.13 to 0.20; p<0.0001). Child goitre was associated with matrix reasoning, school readiness, goitre in family, WAZ, and HAZ (r=0.1 to 0.38; p<0.01). Inadequate nutritional status and mental development of Ethiopian children are of public health concern and will affect later school performance.Grant Funding Source: Micronutrient Initiative, Canada