The Impact of Household Resilience and Dietary Diversity on Child Malnutrition

Abstract

This study examines the impact of household resilience and dietary diversity on child malnutrition in Pakistan using data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2017–2020. By analyzing the relationship between household resilience, minimum dietary diversity (MDD), and malnutrition indicators—stunting, underweight, and wasting—the findings reveal a significant association. Higher household resilience is linked to better dietary diversity and lower malnutrition rates, with resilient households showing reduced prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting among children. MDD emerges as a fundamental protective factor, with children consuming minimum diverse foods demonstrating improved nutritional outcomes. Particularly, regional disparities are evident, with provinces such as Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan exhibiting higher malnutrition rates compared to Punjab. The study underscores the importance of enhancing household resilience and dietary diversity to combat malnutrition in Pakistan, advocating for targeted interventions to improve child health outcomes.