Socio-economic Causes of Malnutrition among Pre-School Children in Pakistan: A Gender-Disaggregated Analysis

Abstract

The most common perception is that the prevalence of malnutrition among females is higher than males. To solve this dilemma, the present article analyzes the impact of socioeconomic factors on the nutritional status of under-five children by gender using a binary logistic regression model. Utilizing the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey [PDHS]-2013 data, a CIAF index is constructed to measure child malnutrition. The disaggregation analysis illustrates that the working status of mothers, mothers not having ownership of assets, women not involved in income decisions, and urban place of residence are found major contributors in male child malnutrition. However, factors such as higher birth order and diarrhea contribute to malnutrition in female children. The study concludes that both male and female children have a higher probability of being malnourished, but effects have been found more in male children in disaggregated analysis than female counterparts.