Kassandra L. Harding|Víctor M. Aguayo|Patrick Webb
Factors associated with wasting among children under five years old in South Asia: Implications for action
Tufts University|Yale University|United Nations Children's Fund|Tufts University
south asia continues carry greatest share number wasted children worldwide understanding determinants wasting important policymakers renew efforts tackle persistent public health development problem using data national surveys bangladesh india maldives nepal pakistan afghanistan analysis explores factors associated wasting among children aged 0 59 months n 252797 conducted multivariate mixed logistic regression backwards stepwise methods identify parsimonious models country separately p values 005 younger children 0 5 months whose mothers low body mass index 185 kgm2 greater odds wasted countries later birth order male maternal illiteracy short maternal stature lack improved water source household poverty also associated wasting various countries systematically seasonality also consistently associated wasting final models findings suggest preconception adolescence pregnancy early postpartum represent windows opportunity tackling child wasting stunting analysis suggests underlying determinants wasting stunting south asia similar universal across geographies costeffective interventions prevent stunting wasting treat severe wasting need scaled urgently separating two manifestations child undernutrition conceptual programmatic terms may unnecessarily impair progress reach sustainable development goals targets aimed addressing child stunting wasting