Conceptual Model Examining Socioeconomic Determinants of Malnutrition in Both Rural and Urban Populations

• Author(s): Stephanie Onyekachi Oparah ; Funmi Eko Ezeh
• Paper ID: 1711297
• Page: 570-606
• Published Date: 30-04-2019
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 2 Issue 10 April-2019

Abstract

Malnutrition remains a critical public health challenge affecting populations across diverse geographical contexts, with distinct manifestations and underlying determinants observed in rural and urban settings. This comprehensive study develops and examines a conceptual framework that integrates socioeconomic determinants of malnutrition across both rural and urban populations, addressing the growing recognition that nutrition insecurity transcends simple urban-rural dichotomies (Smith & Haddad, 2000; Smith et al., 2005). The research synthesizes multiple theoretical perspectives including the capacity-load model, socio-ecological frameworks, and multi-sectoral approaches to understand how household-level characteristics, community contexts, and broader structural factors interact to shape nutritional outcomes (Wells, 2018; Mahmudiono et al., 2019; Mosley & Chen, 1984). Drawing upon empirical evidence from diverse geographical contexts, this investigation reveals that while rural populations face constraints related to agricultural productivity, market access, and infrastructure deficits, urban populations confront challenges including informal settlements, food system commercialization, and socioeconomic stratification (Choudhary & Parthasarathy, 2009; Jones & Pebley, 1992). The conceptual model incorporates immediate, underlying, and basic determinants operating at individual, household, community, and societal levels, demonstrating how socioeconomic position mediates access to food security, healthcare services, water and sanitation infrastructure, and care practices (Ricci et al., 2019; Pieters et al., 2013). The framework specifically examines how poverty, education, employment patterns, household composition, and asset ownership create differential vulnerabilities across rural-urban contexts while simultaneously identifying convergent pathways through which economic development, urbanization, and globalization influence nutritional transitions (Kanjilal et al., 2010; Willey et al., 2009). This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of malnutrition determinants by proposing an integrated analytical approach that recognizes context-specific manifestations while identifying universal causal pathways, thereby informing more effective multi-sectoral interventions and policy frameworks tailored to diverse population settings (Victora et al., 2008; Subramanian et al., 2007).

Keywords

Malnutrition Determinants, Socioeconomic Factors, Rural-Urban Disparities, Conceptual Framework, Nutritional Status, Poverty, Food Security, Health Equity

Citations

IRE Journals:
Stephanie Onyekachi Oparah , Funmi Eko Ezeh "Conceptual Model Examining Socioeconomic Determinants of Malnutrition in Both Rural and Urban Populations" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 2 Issue 10 2019 Page 570-606

IEEE:
Stephanie Onyekachi Oparah , Funmi Eko Ezeh "Conceptual Model Examining Socioeconomic Determinants of Malnutrition in Both Rural and Urban Populations" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 2(10)