이주 배경 아동의 성장 및 영양 상태*

Abstract

= Abstract = Objectives: This study aimed to assess the growth and nutritional status, including the prevalence of malnutrition and obesity, among children from immigrant backgrounds residing in South Korea. Methods: A total of 393 children from immigrant families were surveyed between January 2024 and April 2025. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI) were obtained using standardized instruments. Nutritional status was assessed using both the WHO AnthroPlus and the 2017 Korean National Growth Charts (KNGC). Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages, and continuous variables as means and standard deviations. The distribution of nutritional disorders was compared between the WHO AnthroPlus and the 2017 KNGC using the McNemar test. Results: According to WHO AnthroPlus, the prevalence of stunting was 2.3%, underweight 0.9%, thinness 1.8%, overweight 40.5%, and obesity 18.0%. Using the 2017 KNGC, stunting was 4.4%, underweight 4.1%, thinness 4.7%, overweight 31.5%, and obesity 14.7%. There were statistically significant differences in the nutritional status when comparing the WHO AnthroPlus and the 2017 KNGC. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased with longer duration of resettlement in Korea. Conclusion: Immigrant children in Korea exhibit a double burden of malnutrition, with both undernutrition and obesity. These findings highlight the need for early nutrition interventions and policy efforts targeting this vulnerable population.