Objective: To determine the prevalence of anorexia, and related factors of anorexia in children under-5-years old in Ho Chi Minh city. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 2889 children under 5 years of 60 wards in the city. All children and their mothers were measured weight and height to assess nutritional status. Anorexic status and related factors were collected by interviewing mothers or caregivers. Nutritional status was assessed according to three indicators (weight/age, height/age, weight/height) compared with 2005 WHO standards. Results: The prevalence of anorexia among children under-5-years old in HCM City was 20.8 percent. There were significant differences in the prevalence of anorexia among age groups. The prevalence of anorexia in the age group of over 12 months was higher than that in children under 12 months of age. Factors related to anorexia in children under-5-years old included underweight (OR = 2.1
95 percent CI 1.33.6)
children aged 12-59 months (OR=2.7
3.5
2.8
3.4 in 24-35 months of age group, 36-47 months, and 48-59 months, respectively)
digestive disorders (OR = 2.2
95 percent CI 1.7-2.7)
CED in mothers (OR = 1.5
95 percent CI 1.0-1.9)
and overweight in children (OR= 0.3
95 percent CI 0.2-0.4). Conclusions: Anorexia in children under-5-years old in HCMC was quite common. Underweight, over 12 months of age, digestive disorders, and CED in mother were related factors of anorexia in children. An appropriate approach to minimize anorexia in children is needed.