Child Malnutrition and Poverty: The Case of Pakistan

In: The Pakistan development review: PDR, Band 53, Heft 2, S. 99-118

Abstract

The role of economic factors, particularly income and
consumption, in the wellbeing of a population is well documented. The
well-being, however, does not depend solely on these factors, social
indicators such as life expectancy, health, education and nutrition
serve an important complementary function [Linnemayr, et al. (2008)].
The most significant social problems in many developing countries
including Pakistan are widespread child malnutrition, high infant
mortality and low literacy. Child malnutrition is considered as the key
risk factor for illness and death, contributing to more than half the
deaths of children globally [Cheah, et al. (2010)]. It also affects the
child morbidity rate and poses threat to their physical and mental
development, which results in lower level of educational attainment
[Chirwa and Ngalawa (2008)]. The recent literature therefore considers
the nutrition status as an important dimension of individual wellbeing
[Babatunde, Olagunju, and Fakayode (2011)].