Figure 1. Conceptual Framework for Economic Growth and Child Malnutrition.
Most prior studies assess the indirect relationship between economic growth (per-capita gross domestic product [GDP]) and undernutrition, which can be interpreted as the total effect of economic growth on undernutrition (a). In the current study, we determined the direct association between economic growth and contributing factors (immediate and underlying determinants) (b) and the direct association between contributing factors (immediate and underlying determinants) and undernutrition (c). The effects (b and c) can be interpreted as the partial effects of economic growth on undernutrition. Additionally, we assess overnutrition and dietary diversity failure as further dimensions of malnutrition. Adapted from the 2020 United Nations Children’s Fund Conceptual Framework on Maternal and Child Nutrition.9 BMI indicates body mass index.