Chronic malnutrition: a cross-section analysis

• Main Author: Emely Beatriz García González
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Makhdoomi Printers 2014-01-01
• Series: Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health
• Subjects: chronic malnutrition; stunting
• Online Access: http://gjmedph.com/uploads/O7-Vo3No1.pdf

ABSTRACT Introduction: The objective of the study was to determine the main causes of chronic malnutrition worldwide. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed to analyze the main determinants of chronic malnutrition in a sample of 86 countries. The variables used are based on the UNICEF conceptual framework of malnutrition. This framework classifies the determinants of malnutrition in three main causes: basic, immediate, and underlying. Findings: Droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures, and GDP per capita are the main basic determinants of malnutrition in the sample of countries. In addition one underlying determinant had a major impact in the prevalence of malnutrition: improved sanitation facilities. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrated that the variables within the basic and underlying cause classification are the ones with a greater impact on chronic malnutrition.