This article describes an assessment of the nutritional status of healthy children between the ages of 0 and 36 months living in a neighbourhood of Pikine, one of Dakars largest suburbs, and to analyse associated biological, socio-demographic and environmental factors. The study covered a sample group of 751 children and their mothers. The factors used in the analysis include characteristics of the children, their mothers and their household. Their nutritional status was assessed using three anthropometric indicators: weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height. Expressed as z-scores (number of standard deviations from the median value based on the new WHO 2006 growth standards), these indicators are used to assess a malnutrition status: underweight (W/A(z) < -2), stunting (H/A(z) < -2) and/ or wasting (W/H(z) < -2). Statistical analyses were performed with Chi square tests and binary logistic regressions. 6% of the children surveyed were considered to be underweight, 10% were considered stunted and wasting affected 7% of them. The age of a child and its weight at birth were found to be predictive of malnutrition in young children in Pikine. Birth order and the mothers body mass index were also found to influence the child's nutritional status. Compared to other urban cities in Africa, children in Pikine seem to have a satisfactory nutritional status, despite persistent malnutrition that appears to precede a childs birth (mothers nutritional status) and increases with age. Keywords Malnutrition * 0-3 year old children * Senegal
