Assessment of Nutritional Status, Physical Activity, and Grip Strength among Children Aged 5–12 Years In Jimma Town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025

Abstract

Background: Proper nutrition, sufficient physical activity, and optimal muscle strength are essential for the healthy growth and development of children. However, in many low- and middle income countries, including Ethiopia, childhood malnutrition and physical inactivity continue to pose serious public health challenges. Children aged 5–12 years are particularly vulnerable, yet this age group is often underrepresented in research and health assessments. Despite these, there is lack of data in the study area that assesses nutritional status, physical activity, and grip strength among children aged 5-12 years. Objective: To assess nutritional status, physical activity, and grip strength among children aged 5 12 years in Jimma town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025. Method: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1st to June 30th, 2025. The study included 768 children, and a multistage sampling technique was used to select kebele. Descriptive statistics was applied to summarize anthropometric measures, physical activity, and grip strength.Data Entered to Epi-data 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 for binary and multivariate logistic regression analysis. To identify factors associated with outcome variable, candidate variables was fitted into multivariable analysis and those with p-values <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 768 children participated. The prevalence of stunting and thinness was 20.4% and 11.3%, respectively. Children from rich households had 43% lower odds of stunting (AOR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.33–0.98), and paternal literacy reduced stunting by 51% (AOR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.25–0.95). Non-exclusive breastfeeding increased the odds of stunting by 1.45 times (AOR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.01–2.09). Older children had higher odds of thinness (AOR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.50–0.89), while children of divorced mothers were 2.6 times more likely to be thin (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI: 0.93–7.51). Conclusion: Malnutrition remains a significant problem among school-aged children in Jimma Town. Socioeconomic status, paternal education, exclusive breastfeeding, and health status were the key determinants of child nutrition and muscular fitness. Improving household income, promoting optimal infant feeding, and strengthening school-based nutrition programs are essential to enhance child growth and physical development.