Societal,Economic and Behavioural Predictors of Stunting Among Children Aged 24 to 59 Months: Evidence from the National Survey of Bangladesh

Abstract

With long-term detrimental consequences of irreversible physical and intellectual impairment, stunting remains one of the most prevalent public health problems. This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to stunting among children aged 24 to 59 months in Bangladesh. An analysis of nutrition survey data from the Nutrition, Health and Demographic Survey of Bangladesh analysed the data from a sample of 4,182 children. A predictive model was constructed to identify the association of stunting with family socioeconomics and children’s characteristics. The study found that the development of stunting among 24- to 59-month-old children has been attributed to several factors such as household food security, child feeding practices, parental education and domestic violence. Mothers with secondary education had lower odds of having stunted children. Houses with better flooring quality reduced the probability of stunting by 50%. Children growing up in a moderately food-insecure family had higher odds of becoming stunted. Better child-feeding practices also had lower odds of stunting by 33%. The presence of domestic violence in the household increased the odds of having a stunted child. However, household sanitary conditions, safe water sources and maternal nutritional knowledge and practice were not significantly associated with stunting.