Malnutrition - A Reappraisal of the Major Predispos ing Factors.

Abstract

Summary: The major socio economic factors predisposing to malnutrition were investigated among 250 mothers of malnourished children. Factors identified included family insta bility, poverty, ignorance, poor environmental sanitation and a large family size. The vicious cycle of poor socio-economic status, poor nutrition and disease can be effectively broken by a well-structured health education, em phasizing the importance of breastfeeding, improved weaning methods, small families and family planning as well as improved environmental sanitation.