Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To review relevant literature on the determinants of the nutritional status of the children below 5 years of age in the Eastern Mediterranean Regional (EMR) countries and investigate the updates related to risk factors associated with malnutrition. METHODS: A search of pertinent literature and databases was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases by applying some keywords. RESULTS: From the available literature reviewed, the mean prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting of the children below 5 years of age in the EMR were 12.8% (6.4%-22.6%), 7.5% (5.9%-9.4%), and 24.2% (15.6%-35.5%) respectively. The EMR countries like Sudan, Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan and Pakistan showed the highest rate of stunting amongst the children (>30%). Furthermore, on average, 5.7% of the children were seen to be overweight. Countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Libya, and Tunisia reported the maximal prevalence of overweight children. The study also identified a positive and negative relationship between demographic and socioeconomic and health determinants with nutritional status of these children under 5 years old. CONCLUSION: In this review, the researchers have highlighted the prevalence of malnutrition in EMR countries. Thereafter, the review findings recommend for prioritization of different policies which aimed to improve the nutritional status of the people.