Child malnutrition in developing economies: a case study of Bangladesh
Authors:
Rana Ejaz Ali Khan, and Muhammad Ali Raza
Source:
Quality and Quantity, 48(3):1389, DOI 10.1007/s11135-013-9842-4
Topic(s):
Body Mass Index (BMI) Breastfeeding Child health Economics Education Nutrition
Country:
Asia
Bangladesh
Published:
MAY 2013
Abstract:
The study investigate the impact of socioeconomic factors on malnutrition in
children (under 5 years) using Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. The urban and
rural areas are separately probed for stunting,wasting and under-weight children. The analysis
revealed that birth-interval, mother’s education and wealth index reduce the malnutrition in
children for urban and rural household, while duration of breastfeeding and lower BMI of
the mother increase the malnutrition in both urban and rural areas. Wealth index is more
effective in rural areas as compared to urban ones. The male children are more likely to be
malnourished in urban areas but female children are more likely to be malnourished in rural
areas. The primary level of education of the women has no significant impact on nutritional
status of children in urban as well as in rural areas. It has important policy implications that
at least secondary level of education should be part of the education policy of Bangladesh.
The incidence of diarrhea enhances the probability of stunting and wasting in both urban and
rural areas of Bangladesh. From the policy perspective mother’s education and birth-interval
are required for achieving the nutrition status of children. For the long-run the socioeconomic
status of the household expressed by wealth index is needed. The duration of breastfeeding
needs to be reduced by initiation of the supplement food.