Risk factors for child stunting in Bangladesh: an analysis using MICS 2019 data
Tuhinur Rahman Chowdhury1, Sayan Chakrabarty2, Muntaha Rakib3
1Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58105, USA. tuhinchy.sust@gmail.com.
Insights
Child stunting in Bangladesh is linked to parental education and household wealth. Higher parental education and richer households significantly reduce the risk of stunting in children under five.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Malnutrition, particularly childhood stunting, is a significant public health issue.
- Stunting serves as a key indicator of chronic malnutrition in children.
- This study investigates risk factors for stunting in young children in Bangladesh.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze the determinants of stunting among children under five years of age in Bangladesh.
- To provide data for targeted interventions to combat childhood malnutrition.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional cluster survey data from 17,490 children and 64,400 households in Bangladesh (2019).
- Multiple logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for stunting and severe stunting.
- Examination of correlates including age, parental education, and household wealth index.
Main Results:
- Stunting prevalence was 25.96%, with severe stunting at 7.97%.
- Increased risk of stunting was observed in children aged 24-48 months and those from the Sylhet division.
- Higher parental education (secondary or above) and belonging to the richest households were associated with significantly lower odds of stunting.
Conclusions:
- Parental education and household wealth are critical determinants of child stunting in Bangladesh.
- Interventions focusing on improving socioeconomic status and educational attainment may reduce stunting rates.
- Findings highlight the interplay between socioeconomic factors and child health outcomes.
Background:
Malnutrition is considered a major public health challenge and is associated with a range of health issues, including childhood stunting. Stunting is a reliable and well-recognized indicator of chronic childhood malnutrition. The objective of this study is to determine the risk factors associated with stunting among 17,490 children below five years of age in Bangladesh.
Methods:
Correlates of child stunting were examined using data generated by a cross-sectional cluster survey conducted in Bangladesh in 2019. The data includes a total of 17,490 children (aged < 5 years) from 64,400 households. Multiple logistic regressions were used to determine the risk factors associated with child stunting and severe stunting.
Results:
The prevalence of stunting and severe stunting for children was 25.96% and 7.97%, respectively. Children aged 24 to < 36 months [Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.65, 95% CI: 2.30, 3.05] and aged 36 to < 48 months [OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 2.02, 2.69] had more risk of stunting compared to the children aged < 6 months. Children from Sylhet division had the greatest risk of stunting of all the eight divisions [OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.46]. Children of secondary complete or higher educated mothers were less likely to develop stunting [OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.79] compared with children of mothers having no education at all. Similarly, children of secondary complete or higher educated father [OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.87] were found to have lower risk of stunting compared with children whose father hadn't any education. Substantially lower risk of stunting was observed among children whose mother and father both completed secondary education or above [OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.69]. Children from the richest households [OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.58] had 51% lower odds of stunting compared to children from the poorest households.
Conclusions:
After controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors, parental education and household position in the wealth index were found to be the most important determinants of child stunting in Bangladesh.
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