Why Is Child Malnutrition Lower in Urban Than in Rural Areas? Evidence from 36 Developing Countries

This study asks whether key socioeconomic determinants of child nutritional status differ across urban and rural areas to investigate why urban malnutrition rates are lower. Little evidence of urban-rural differences in the nature of the determinants or the strength of their associations with nutritional status is found. However, marked differences in the levels of the determinants and in caring practices for children and women in favor of urban areas are documented. The study results suggest that lower urban malnutrition is due to a series of more favorable socioeconomic conditions, in turn leading to better caring practices for children and their mothers.