Association Between Malnutrition and Cognitive Ability Among Children Under Five Years Of Age

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition remains a major public health concern associated with impaired cognitive development in early childhood. Objective: This study examined the association between malnutrition and cognitive ability among children aged 1–5 years. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 65 children aged 1–5 years recruited through accidental sampling. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements based on the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. Cognitive ability was measured using a 15-item Cognitive Development Questionnaire adapted from Huda (2013) and Virginia (2025). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Chi-square test. Results: Stunting was the most common form of malnutrition (26.2%). Good cognitive ability was observed in 35.4% of participants, while 32.3% had moderate and 32.3% had poor cognitive ability. A significant association was found between malnutrition and cognitive ability (χ² = 21.111, df = 6, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Malnutrition was significantly associated with cognitive ability among children aged 1–5 years. Routine nutritional assessment and developmental monitoring may support the early identification of children at risk of cognitive delay. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causal relationship