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Malnutrition is a serious problem in Ethiopia as a result of which there is a high rate of mortality of children under the age of five years. The main objective of this paper is, therefore, to identify the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition and determine factors contributing to it for children under the age of five years that were admitted to Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital in Arsi administrative zone, central Ethiopia. Data were collected from 367 sample households selected randomly from a total of 6554 respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that 12%, 46% and 14% children were underweight, stunted and wasted, respectively. This implied that there is less severe problem form of protein energy malnutrition status. It was also found that sex of children, educational level of parents, distance of work place of caregiver from home, age of children, age of caregiver, marital status, family size, and family income were predictors of protein energy malnutrition. In addition, educational level of parents and economy of parents were important components for ensuring good nutritional of children. Therefore, improving parents' economy and literacy of the community (especially female literacy) is instrumental in minimizing protein energy malnutrition for under five-year children. Moreover, it is advisable if nutritional status of children be assessed periodically to monitor the situation and to take appropriate measures for combating and preventing malnutrition in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inadequate nutrient consumption causes protein energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies and related consequences, including poor physical growth and intellectual development. However, literatures showing quantitative measurement of dietary intake of children are limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study investigated nutrient consumption and associated factors among school age children (7–9 years) in Dewa Cheffe District, northeast of Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December, 2015 in Dewa Cheffe District. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 605 study subjects. Pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. A 24-h dietary recall with portion size estimation method was used to assess nutrient consumption of school age children. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify factors associated with inadequate energy intake. adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval was computed to show the strength of association. In multivariable analysis, a P value of < 0.05 was used to declare statistically significance. Results: A total of 600 school age children were included in the study. About 29% [95%, CI 21.9, 36.1] of study participants had inadequate energy intake. The result of multivariable analysis revealed that, children who were belonged to a female headed households [AOR = 3.65; 95% CI 1.20, 11.04] and family size of six and above [AOR = 14.42; 95% CI 4.65, 44.67] were found with increased odds of inadequate energy consumption. In contrast, decreased odds of inadequate energy consumption were observed among children whose mothers were housewives [AOR = 0.32; 95% CI 0.11, 0.52]. Conclusions: In this study, one-third of school children had inadequate energy consumption. Female headed households, being in the larger family size and housewives mother were significantly associated with inadequate energy consumption. Therefore, giving special focus to female headed households, large family and outdoor worker mothers will help to improve dietary intake of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]