Peer-reviewed article
Trends and patterns of stunted only and stunted-underweight children in Malawi: A confirmation for child nutrition practitioners to continue focusing on stunting
Lana Chikhungu ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This study used two national household surveys from Malawi, from 2000 and 2015, to look at how common stunting and underweight were among children. Both stunting alone and stunting combined with underweight became less common over the 15 years. Stunting was the most common form of undernutrition, and almost all underweight children were also stunted. The authors link the improvements to better maternal education and higher maternal weight, and they advise nutrition practitioners to keep focusing on stunting.
Key points
- Stunted-only children fell from 37.2% in 2000 to 26.8% in 2015.
- Stunted-underweight children fell from 14.5% in 2000 to 8.8% in 2015.
- Of the 6.9% of children classed as wasted, 2.4% were also underweight and stunted, 2.4% were underweight, and 2.1% had no other form of undernutrition.
- No children were found to be both stunted and wasted.
- Only 0.7% of children in 2000 and 0.4% in 2015 were underweight with no other form of undernutrition.
Limitations
The abstract describes a comparison of two survey years, so it cannot show that any programme or factor caused the decline. The link to maternal education and weight is suggested as a possible explanation and is not tested as a cause.
Abstract
Aim: To analyse the trends and patterns of stunted only and stunted-underweight children in Malawi between the 2000 and 2015. Methods: The study used the 2000 and 2015 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey data and employed bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis techniques to explore the difference in the levels of stunted only and stunted-underweight children and key socio-economic factors between 2000 and 2015 and identify key attributes of being stunted only and being stunted-underweight. Results: The percentage of stunted only was 37.2% in 2000 and 26.8% in 2015 and the stunted-underweight percentage was 14.5% in 2000 and 8.8% in 2015. Out of the 6.9% children classified as wasted, 2.4% were also underweight and stunted, 2.4% were underweight and 2.1% did not have any other forms of undernutrition. The analysis did not identify any children that were both stunted and wasted. Only 0.7% in 2000 and 0.4% in 2015 were underweight and free of any other forms of undernutrition. There were improvements in mother education level and mother weight during this time-period which may explain the improvements in child nutritional status. Conclusion: The most common form of undernutrition is stunting and nearly all children that are underweight are also stunted. Child nutrition practitioners and health professionals should consider focusing on tackling child stunting.