This study evaluated dietary practices and nutritional status of children aged 24-59 months old in Chitokoloki ward of Zambezi East Constituency, Zambia. A cross sectional study was conducted among 364 children (aged 24-59 months) randomly selected from households in Chitokoloki ward in Zambezi. Sociodemographic information and dietary practices of children were collected from mothers/caregivers using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire of the child’s food consumption during the previous 24-h was used to obtain information on dietary diversity. Dietary diversity scores <5 indicated minimum dietary diversity (MDDS). Anthropometry of children were measured and Height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), Weight for-height (WHZ) and body mass index-for-age (BAZ) Z-scores were used to determine nutritional status using WHO Anthroplus software. Chi square and logistic regression were used to determine the relationship between dietary practices and nutritional status at p value less than 0.05. The findings revealed that dietary practices of the children were poor as depicted by consumption of <3 meals daily (32.9%) and low dietary diversity score <5 (69.8%). The prevalence of wasting, stunting, underweight, obesity were 11%, 26.5%, 15.0%, and 5%, respectively. Dietary practices were not significantly associated with anthropometric status of the children (p>0.05). This study recommends the need for nutritional interventions and education to promote a more balanced and diverse diet among these children.

Keywords:Dietary Practices; Feeding Practices; Nutritional Status; Malnutrition; Under Five Children