Background- Malnutrition remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality amongrnchildren throughout the world. The nutritional status of infants and children under five years of age is ofrnparticular concern since the early years of life are crucial for optimal growth and developmentrnmalnutrition has been responsible, directly or indirectly, for 60% of the 10.9 million deaths annuallyrnamong children under five. Malnutrition is an underlying factor in over half of under-five child death inrnEthiopia, and children with severe acute malnutrition face 30-50 percent chance of dying unless treated.rnObjective- to assess gender differential in the risk factors and magnitude of malnutrition among childrenrnof age 0-59 months in Menz Keya district North Shewa zone Amhara Regional state, Ethiopia.rnMethods- the study design was community based comparative cross-sectional quantitative study andrnsupplemented qualitative (FGD) methods. A total of 746 children were selected using cluster samplingrntechnique. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaire and including anthropometricrnmeasurements. The study variables include; socio-economic and demographic characteristics, child andrnmaternal related variables and environmental health conditions. Data were entered and processed usingrnEPi-info and SPSS for analysis. The NCHS reference population standard of WHO was utilized tornconvert height and weight measurements into Z-scores of the H/A, W/H and W/A indices consideringrnage and sex of the children.rnResults-Stunting was found to be significantly higher in female children (36.7compared to 25.7%)rnamong male children both in urban and rural areas. Among male children, age group of 6-11 and 48-59rnmonths were found to be more affected by stunting.rnIt was found that multiple determinant factors among operating at individual (mother age, education ofrnthe mother, immunization status, and weaning time) and house hold levels (household income, familyrnsize) are significant predictors of stunting.rnWasting was found to be statistical significantly higher in male children than female children (14.7%) inrnurban and rural areas. children in the age group 48-59 months were more affected in both male andrnfemale.rnrnrnrn rn rnEducation of the mother, household income, family size, immunization status and waste disposal arearnwere found to be the important determinant factors for wasting.rnUnderweight was slightly higher male children compared to female children (22% vs 20.1%).rnEducational status of the mother, duration of breast feeding, immunization status family size, householdrnincome, and domestic waste disposal areas were determinant factors for underweight.rnConclusions and recommendations- The finding of this study showed that the prevalence of stuntingrnwas higher in female children in both urban and rural areas compared to male. Whereas wasting andrnunderweight were more common in male children than female children regardless of their place ofrnresidence. Educational status of the mother and family monthly income were important determinantrnfactors for chronic malnutrition for both male and female children. Empowering women to improve theirrneducation and income generation potential is recommended.