Maternal and child malnutrition remains a critical public health challenge in Pakistan, with Punjab province exhibiting paradoxically high malnutrition rates despite agricultural abundance. This study examines socio-cultural determinants of malnutrition and their health implications for mothers and children in Punjab, Pakistan. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted in 2022-23 across three districts (Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan). The quantitative component included 600 mothers (aged 18-40 years) with children under five, equally distributed between rural and urban settings. Data encompassed socio-demographics, household characteristics, and anthropometric measurements. Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) with 6-8 mothers each provided qualitative insights. Chi-square tests examined bivariate associations, while thematic analysis coded qualitative data. Nearly half (46.7%) of mothers were underweight, while 31.8% were overweight, indicating a double burden of malnutrition. Over one-third of children exhibited stunting. Maternal nutritional status showed significant associations with spousal education (χ²=77.3, p<0.001), household income, maternal education, and age at marriage. Qualitative findings revealed persistent food taboos, patriarchal decision-making patterns, and gender-biased food distribution practices that disadvantage women and girls. Malnutrition in Punjab stems from complex socio-cultural dynamics rather than food scarcity alone. Integrated interventions addressing gender inequality, education, poverty, and early marriage are essential to breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.
Batool et al. (Thu,) studied this question.