Fenske et al. organize the factors that cause stunting in Indian children into underlying, intermediate, immediate, and nonmodifiable factors (Figure 2) (Fenske, Burns, Hothorn, & Rehfuess, 2013). While stunting is a part of malnutrition, the intermediate determinants identified represent many of the pathways through which programs could aim to combat child malnutrition in India. Examination of nutritional interventions in India to combat malnutrition, such as breastfeeding, promotion of complementary nutrition through education or food provision, and single or multiple nutrient supplementation, shows significant impacts on behavior related to malnutrition, but only modest impacts on reversing the effects of malnutrition. Fenske, Burns, Hothorn, & Rehfuess, 2013). Therefore, it is important to consider the many social determinants that influence child malnutrition in order to effectively treat and reverse the effects of child malnutrition..
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