Tracking Changes and Identifying Determinants of Child Malnutrition Status over the Past Decade in Bangladesh

Abstract

Over the past decade Bangladesh has maintained an impressive track record of economic growth and poverty reduction. Despite achieving significant progress in the aforementioned sectors, Bangladesh lags far behind in case of child malnutrition. This study endeavors to track the trend in child malnutrition status in terms of different indicators over the past decade in Bangladesh. The study also investigated differential impact of some characteristics belonging to child, mother and household on nutritional status. The data extracted from BDHS (2004, 2007, 2011) were used for this purpose. Pearson’s chi-square and binary logistic regression model were employed to identify the determinants of child malnutrition. Cutbacks in stunting and underweight status were observed whereas the number of wasted child was increased from BDHS (2004) to BDHS (2011). A child aged less than or equal to two years had lower risk of being stunted or under weighted in comparison with the child aged 2 to 5 years. It was found that the child whose mother was less educated was more likely to suffer from malnutrition than a well educated mother’s child. It is also discerned that the child belonging to poor family or having no toilet facility was more likely to be malnourished comparing to the child belonging to non-poor family and getting better toilet facility.