Abstract
Between 2004 and 2014 the rate of reduction of chronic childhood undernutrition (CCU) prevalence in Ecuador was about 0.2% per year, while since 1999 it was reduced to an average higher than 0.83% per year. In the same period, Ecuador experienced an economic growth of more than 4% of GDP per year on average. Commonly, child undernutrition has been assumed as the effect of a combination of a set of factors related to deprivation situations. Therefore, we are facing a paradox. The objective of this investigation is to explore this paradox. To accomplish this aim, a mixed research strategy is presented: the children’s undernutrition key indicators are compared using the Surveys of Living Conditions (SLC) for the years 1999, 2006, and 2014. Changes and continuities in the relevant indicators are identified, in the next phase; the analysis of those indicators is deepened with qualitative research. Results are integrated and a plausible explanation is constructed.