DETERMINANTS OF MALNUTRITION IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES: A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Malnutrition remains a severe issue of the public health concern in low-income regions, where nutrition outcomes are imbalanced to present a complex interaction of socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioural issues.  This study was based on the mixed-method approach, as the primary factors behind adult and child malnutrition in less-resource-rich environments were studied.  Quantitative results indicated that elevated incidences of undernourishment were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with house hold food insecurity, low parental education, insufficient maternal nutrition, insufficient sanitation, and inadequate health service.  The anthropometric measurements revealed that a proportion of 14 percent of the children was wasting, a proportion of 21 percent was underweight and proportion of 32 percent were stunted which showed chronic undernutrition in diet.  Regression modelling revealed that the highest predictors of childhood nutritional status were mother education level, household income and frequency of healthcare utilisation (R2 = 0.71).  She was supported by the quantitative findings of the study in which qualitative findings indicated an effect of barriers, which included insecure work, increasing food prices, cultural eating habits, and lack of knowledge about a healthy diet.  The result of the combination of the two datasets is the realization that it is not the individual element but multifaceted deprivation that leads to hunger.  The research is concluded on the general findings on the fact that to undertake the issue of malnutrition among the low-income neighborhoods, community-based, holistic approaches including infrastructure creation, maternal health, economic empowerment, and nutrition education are required.  Such findings present evidence-based information to policy makers to develop long-term population health programs to reduce the incidence of malnutrition among the vulnerable populations.