Abstract

ALBUJA ECHEVERRIA, Wilson Santiago. Socioeconomic determinants of chronic malnutrition in children under five: evidence from Ecuador. Inter disciplina [online]. 2022, vol.10, n.28, pp.591-611.  Epub Dec 05, 2022. ISSN 2448-5705.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ceiich.24485705e.2022.28.83314.

Childhood stunting compromises the physical and cognitive development of children, accentuating disease and intra and intergenerational impoverishment. Ecuador is the country with the second highest rate of stunting in children under five years of age in Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite the resources invested, chronic malnutrition has not undergone significant variations in recent years, registering non-compliance with national goals. This paper explores the determinants of malnutrition through a logistic model applied to the Ensanut 2018. The results indicate that age, sex and indigenous ethnicity of the child are significant variables, as well as height, body mass index and schooling of the mother. At home, the presence of children under five and the income per capita are relevant variables. Height above sea level, access to water and sanitation services, and garbage disposal by municipal service are significant variables too. It is essential that public interventions include complementary actions around the medical control of pregnant women and children; healthy habits and child care; feeding and nutrition; and coverage of basic services.

Keywords : childhood stunting; public policy; logistic model; Ecuador.

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