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Abstract Physical growth is a dynamic process that is characterized by physiological changes and increase in the mass of body tissues in an individual from infancy into adulthood. Periodic assessments should be made to determine whether weight, height, length, and head circumference are within normal limits for age and gender. It is an important tool in the early detection of chronic disease in children (Gokhale & Kirschner, 2003). Childhood under and overweight are an important public health problem. Issues related to underweight and overweight can negatively affect the physical growth and psychological development of children )Best et al., 2010). Lack of muscular strength, late maturation, decreased bone density, and low work productivity later in life are possible consequences of underweight (Pasricha & Biggs, 2010). Overweight or obese children show high risks for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, metabolic disorder, and mental disorders (Stewart, 2015). Community health nurse must recognize the characteristics and lifestyles of the children and their families as well as the risk factors of being underweight or overweight among the children. Nurses can provide intervention to families and children regarding the basic concepts of balanced nutrition and undesirable effect of insufficient nutrition (Syahrul et al., 2016). The study was conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of early home based intervention on children’s physical growth from two to five years. The study was conducted at Maternal and Child health Centers at Tanta city in Gharbiya Governorate. The experimental pre-post-testdesign was used in carrying out the study. The data collection was completed between 1st of May 2016 to the end of April 2017. The study used a convenience sample of 100 children and their mothers. The children were selected according to the following inclusion criteria: - Age of children was between 2-5 years. - Free from any chronic diseases or handicap. - Children should not follow a special medical regimen.Exclusion criteria: - Having prematurity or low birth weight. - Having endocrine disorder or cardiac disease. - Having teeth decay. Data was collected through the following: Tool I- Structured interviewing questionnaire developed by researcher was used, which including the following parts: Part one: Sociodemographic data and Medical history of children’s and their parent’s. Part two: Nutrition assessment, it included 2 parts, it was used to assess knowledge and practice. Part three: Lifestyle assessment: It consisted of 2 parts, it was used to assess sleeping habits, using TV/computer, and physical activity knowledge and practice. Tool II: Physiological measurements of children. Tool III: 24 hours dietary recall. Tool IV: Children’s eating behaviour questionnaire.The main findings of the study revealed the following: Age of the studied sample ranged from 2-5 years old, with female were more than males (52%, and 48%). There was a highly significant difference between pre, post1and post 2 intervention regarding nutritional knowledge. There was statistically significant difference between pre and post 2 intervention regarding nutritional practice. There was high significant difference between pre and post 2 intervention nutritional practice regarding BMI of children. There was increase in percentage of normal BMI from 48% pre intervention and 54% post 1 intervention to 79% post 2 intervention, while decrease in underweight from 34% pre intervention and 31% post1intervention to 14% post2 intervention. Also, decrease in percentage of obese from 12% pre intervention to 4% post 2 intervention. There was significant differences between pre and post 2 intervention regarding body mass index classification. There was statistically significant improvement post 2 intervention than pre intervention of BMI among male in all physiological items. There was significant difference between pre and post 2 intervention of each eating behavior domain except total slowness in eating, the different was not significant. There was highly statistically significant improvement post2 intervention than pre intervention of different BMI classes in main intake of calories RDA, total protein, fat-B, total fat, carbohydrate.There was highly statistically significant improvement post2 intervention than pre intervention of different BMI classes in main intake of calories, protein-A, protein-B, total protein, protein RDA, fat-A, carbohydrate, and fiber. There was highly statistically significant improvement post2 intervention than pre intervention of different BMI classes in main intake of calcium RDA, phosphorus, phosphorus RDA, iron RDA, sodium, sodium RDA, potassium, potassium RDA, zinc RDA, magnesium, and cholesterol. There was highly statistically significant improvement post2 intervention than pre intervention of different BMI classes in main intake of vitamin-A, niacin, niacin RDA, and folate. Based on the results of the current study it can be concluded that: The results of the present study revealed that, home based intervention was effective in improving nutritional knowledge and practices. Finally, the current study highlight the positive effect of early home based intervention on physical growth of children. In the light of the present study findings, it can be recommended that: Recommendation for parents: 1. Implement mother class sessions for mothers attending Maternal Child Centers on normal growth and development of their children and how to detect any deviation from normal ranges early.Underweight rate was drastically increased in the age group of 2-5 years, so in order to reduce the problem of underweight the dietary modifications have to be done to ensure the increased calorie and protein intake. 3. Health education for mothers about healthy eating patterns & participating in physical activities. 4. Providing nutritional programs for mothers about good nutrition and method of cooking a healthy food for preschool children. 5. Increase public health awareness about importance of follow up and growth monitoring of growing children in improving child nutrition status through mass media. 6. Integrate nutritional courses for mothers in the MCH centers about good food habits and practices. Recommendations for future research: 1- Future research should study the cultural factors that influence food intake, selection and preparation attitudes toward health, and activity. 2- This study can be applied on a large sample of children and at different study setting to generalize its |