Major factors responsible for child malnutrition: A review.

Pakistan is one of the countries in which children suffer from malnutrition, and problems of stunting, wasting and under-weight are common among children. The narrative review was planned to examine published research on child malnutrition, factors associated with malnutrition, gender discrimination regarding nutrition and their related outcomes. Studies included were those based on data related to child malnutrition in Pakistan. Total 12 articles from the preceding five years were reviewed to assess the nutritional status prevailing in Pakistan. Most of the studies used the World Health Organisation z-scores for the assessment of stunting and wasting. Majority of the studies had a cross-sectional design. Other studies conducted in South Asian countries were also used to make a comparison and to see if the prevalence of child malnutrition and the factors associated with malnutrition were the same as in Pakistan or not. It was concluded that maternal health and maternal education were the most important factors for enhancing the probability of child malnutrition. No gender difference existed in terms of child malnutrition. Economic conditions and financial status of the family played an important role in child malnutrition.