| Abstract | This study investigates the question whether socio-economic, demographic and  environmental variables within a household will affect the growth  patterns of under-five  Pakistani children. It also examines whether there are differentials in the growth patterns of  these children by age and gender. Using the 1990-91 Demographic and Health Survey data,  the focus is on children under-five years,  the total children identified were 5902 while  anthropometric measurement to assess the growth status was available for 4079 children.  The results showed that nearly all the socio-demographic, economic and environmental  variables were significantly associated with H/A and Wt/A. Children most likely to be  stunted and underweight were those whose mothers were aged 40– 4 4 years, mothers with  no education, children from rural areas and  children with birth interval <24 months. The  multivariate analyses for Height/A model showed succeeding birth interval >24 months,  mother’s age, her education and having toilet facilities in the house positively associated  with growth attainment. For the Weight/A  model succeeding birth interval >24 months,  mother’s age, her education and having toilet facilities and electricity in the house, and  living in Punjab and NWFP province positively associated with growth attainment. This  study will be useful for policy-makers to  develop programmes and guidelines needed to  improve those socio-economic, demographic and environmental factors, responsible for the  poor nutritional status of children under-five years of age in Pakistan.  |