National food and nutration strategy baseline survey

Abstract

Stunting remains a major public health problem in Ethiopia. The current study shows that 39% (37-42: 95% confidence interval) of children under five years of age are stunted (height-for-age below -2SD). The national prevalence of underweight (weight-forage below -2SD) in children under 5 years is 22%.The national prevalence of wasting (weight- for-height below -2 SD) is 11% (9-11: 95% confidence interval). The national prevalence of overweight (body mass index-for-age above +1SD) among children under five years was 6%. The prevalence was highest in Sidama (14%) and lowest in the Afar region (2%).