Determinants of Malnutrition Among Children: A Study of Government Schools in District Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

This study aims to investigate and describe socio-economic correlates of malnutrition among the children enrolled in the government schools of District Multan and to determine the extent of the association of school facility and or access to health care services. The research followed a quantitative research design with the subjects consisting of 252 students aged 12 to 15 years obtained from five randomly selected government schools. Data was collected through structured questionnaires while the determinants of malnutrition were analyzed using SPSS package. From the study it was noted that poverty, parental education and awareness have a higher relationship with malnutrition. A large number of learners had poor knowledge on the balanced diet and there was variation in gender with regard to malnutrition related prejudices. Results of the statistical analysis showed that various demographic and socioeconomic factors affected the nutritional status of the population, and poor people with low education standards had a poorer status. It also emphasizes intervention that focus on socio-economic factors, education and nutrition and gender aspects when addressing the issue of malnutrition among schoolchildren.