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Shimelash Bitew Workie,1 Tesfa Mekonen,2 Wubalem Fekadu,2 Tefera Chane Mekonen3 1College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia; 2College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; 3College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Shimelash Bitew Workie Email sbitew0@gmail.comBackground: Undernutrition remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among children throughout the world particularly in developing countries. The present study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of undernutrition among children aged 12– 59 months.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Wolaita district from May to June 2015. Multi-stage stratified systematic random sampling procedure was used. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire from 626 children aged 12– 59 months. Height and weight were measured by trained data collectors and WHO Anthro version 3.2.2 software was used. Data were entered into Epi Info version 3.3.5 and were exported and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Multivariable logistic regression model with a step-wise method was used to determine the predictors of undernutrition.Results: One third (34.1%; 95% CI 30.4– 37.9%) of children were stunted while 6.9% and 11.9% of them were wasted and underweight, respectively, based on WHO Z score