Nutritional Status of the Street Children in Selected Metropolitan Cities of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Street children in Nepal face significant nutritional challenges due to socio-economic inequalities, food insecurity, poor living conditions, and lack of access to healthcare. Malnutrition, manifested as stunting, wasting, and underweight, adversely impacts their physical, cognitive, and social development. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of street children in Kathmandu and Lalitpur, Nepal, and identify factors influencing malnutrition.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among street children aged 5-18 years from two districts of Nepal. Convenience sampling technique was used. Data were collected through structured interviews covering demographics, dietary patterns, living conditions, and health behaviours. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index-for-age standards.

Results: The study found that 38.5% of participants had inadequate nutrition. Inadequate nutrition included younger age (5-9 years), male gender, fewer meals per day (≤2), poor dietary diversity, illiteracy, substance use, poor sleep duration, and lack of access to clean water. Children from Kathmandu had a higher proportion of 137 (64.31%) of adequate nutrition.

Conclusions: The nutritional status of the majority of participants in our study is found to be adequate.