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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

maternal education, child nutritional status, Africa, mediating mechanisms

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Sociology

Abstract

While previous research indicates child stunting rates have decreased in the aggregate over the last few decades, malnutrition continues to account for over half of annual child deaths and the stunting of 226 million (Neumann et al.). As national inequality persists, even increasing in certain areas, higher rates of stunting have become concentrated within already disadvantaged populations (Minujin and Delamonica, 2004). Africa, for instance, has particularly low educational attainment, high rates of poverty, a lack of infrastructure and experiences stunting rates as high as 60% in certain areas (Neumann et al.). Although earlier studies have identified many dimensions of disadvantage that promote malnutrition, lack of education is consistently associated with poor health outcomes. Not yet fully understood, however, are the pathways through which education influences nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to examine several avenues through which maternal education influences child health in Africa. This knowledge will hopefully engender solutions that address the specific challenges faced by disadvantaged populations and ultimately help them achieve better child nutritional outcomes.

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