Socio-cultural and Economic Factors Effects Child Malnutrition and Mental Development: Evidence from Pakistan Demographic Health Survey 2018

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to statistically measure the socio-economic and cultural taboos and practices that affect child malnutrition. Secondly, how does child malnutrition affect mental growth of child? The quantitative data was analyzed from the Pakistan Demographic Health Survey 2018. The result found that socio-economic level also influences child malnutrition and cultural taboos and practices. Moreover, mental growth and child psychological development are decreasing due to malnutrition. The research recommended that micronutrient insufficiency, mental growth, and psychological factors are either overlooked or have received little attention as a contributing factor to malnutrition among children.  Immediate implementation of both short-term and long-term strategies is essential to address the pervasive deficit among children, which manifests as various forms of malnutrition.