Malnutrition is part of a vicious cycle involving associated underlying factors; meaning
that undernourishment is related not only to biological but also social aspects (WHO, 1995).
Some factors—known as proximal factors—are directly associated with malnutrition, such as
inadequate dietary intake and incidences of disease, while others are more distant but no less
important. These are socio-economic in nature and are associated with children’s nutritional
conditions in a number of ways. For instance, poverty can be related to low levels of parental
education, poor availability and quality of food, and lack of access to water/sanitation and
adequate health care, all of which raise the risks of disease and contribute to poorer
nutrient intake levels.