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19 

        MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 
          BJMSR VOL 9 NO 2 (2024) P-ISSN 2687-850X E-ISSN 2687-8518 

         Available online at https://www.cribfb.com 

     Journal homepage: https://www.cribfb.com/journal/index.php/BJMSR 

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Published by CRIBFB, USA 
                                                                                                                                     

INDIVIDUAL AND CONTEXTUAL FACTORS OF MALNUTRITION  

IN MOROCCAN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE      
 

 Mustapha Berrouyne (a)       Hinde Hami (b)1   
 

(a) PhD Student, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco; E-mail: mbmberrouyne@gmail.com 
(b) Professor, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco; E-mail: hinde.hami@uit.ac.ma   
                     

 
A R T I C L E I N F O 

 
 

Article History: 
 

Received: 15th April 2024 

Reviewed & Revised: 16th April 

to 28th June 2024 

Accepted: 30th June 2024 

Published: 8th July 2024 

 
Keywords: 

 

Undernutrition, Overnutrition,  

Determinants, Children Under  

Five, Multilevel Modeling. 

 
JEL Classification Codes: 

 

I14, I12 

 

      Peer-Review Model:  
 

      External peer review was done through  

      double-blind method.        

 
A B S T R A C T 

 
This study investigates the multifaceted determinants of malnutrition among Moroccan children under 
five, focusing on individual, household, and community influences. Utilizing data from the 2018 

Population and Family Health Survey, the study analyzes 5,983 children aged 0–59 months. This study 

employs a multilevel modelling methodology to consider the data's hierarchical structure. The results 

reveal that 18% of Moroccan children suffer from undernutrition, while 10% experience overnutrition. 

Factors influencing malnutrition include child sex, age, birth weight, parental education, breastfeeding 

practices, household size, and poverty. Male children and those with a low birth weight are also at 

increased risk, with ORs of 1.49 and 1.93, respectively. Parental education, especially maternal 
education, protects against undernutrition (OR = 1.45). Breastfeeding practices impact child nutrition, 

with children not breastfed having higher odds of undernutrition (OR = 2.03). Children from poorer 

households are more likely to suffer from undernutrition (OR = 2.40). Conversely, children from 

wealthier households are at a higher risk of overnutrition (OR = 1.78). Community-level factors, such 

as poverty and regional disparities, influence undernutrition outcomes, with notable differences in 

regions like Beni Mellal-Khenifra (OR = 6.15). Children living in rural areas are more likely to 

experience undernutrition than their urban counterparts (OR = 1.87). The findings of this study conclude 

that addressing child malnutrition in Morocco requires multi-level interventions, focusing on parental 
education, breastfeeding promotion, support for low-birth-weight infants, and targeted strategies for 

socio-economic and geographic disparities.  

 
 

© 2024 by the authors. Licensee CRIBFB, USA. This open-access article is distributed under the 
terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license 
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0).  

            

 

INTRODUCTION 

Being interested in children's health also means being interested in the health of adults of the next generation, and the 

challenge is to lead these children to adult life in the best possible conditions. Malnutrition, a critical public health issue, 

has devastating effects: it kills children, impedes their intellectual development, and causes significant economic losses 

(UNICEF, 2021). This phenomenon, manifesting as undernutrition and overnutrition, remains a critical public health 

challenge with important implications for child development and overall health. Undernutrition can lead to severe health 

consequences, including stunted growth, weakened immunity, and cognitive impairments (UNICEF, 2023). Overnutrition, 

often resulting from diets high in calories but low in nutritional value, contributes to childhood obesity and associated health 

issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (WHO, 2024). This dual burden of malnutrition presents a complex 

problem that hinders efforts to improve child health globally and a complex challenge that varies across different regions 

and socio-economic contexts (Alaba et al., 2023; Davis et al., 2020; Menon & Peñalvo, 2020). In 2011, researchers reported 

that chronic malnutrition stunted 18.1% of Moroccan children under five, while acute malnutrition affected 9.3% (Moroccan 

Ministry of Health, 2012). Despite some progress in reducing stunting to 15.1% by 2018, the issue of overnutrition has 

escalated, with 10.8% of children under five classified as overweight (Moroccan Ministry of Health, 2019). As the world 

progresses towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the fight against child malnutrition remains a central 

challenge, demanding concerted action from governments and international organizations (Heidkamp et al., 2021). This 

study aims to identify the multifaceted factors of undernutrition and overnutrition in Moroccan children under five, focusing 

on individual and contextual influences. Our analysis employs a multilevel modeling approach, which allows us to uncover 

the interconnections among children, their families, and communities through hierarchical data (Andriani et al., 2023). This 

approach is critical because traditional logistic regression models, which frequently violate the assumption of data 

independence in hierarchical data, may yield biased estimates.  

The paper's outline is as follows: The literature review examines the various determinants of child malnutrition. 

                                                      
1Corresponding author: ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1803-0115   

© 2024 by the authors. Hosting by CRIBFB. Peer review is the responsibility of CRIBFB, USA.  

https://doi.org/10.46281/bjmsr.v9i2.2221 
 

To cite this article: Berrouyne, M., & Hami, H. (2024). INDIVIDUAL AND CONTEXTUAL FACTORS OF MALNUTRITION IN MOROCCAN 

CHILDREN UNDER FIVE. Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research, 9(2), 19-29. https://doi.org/10.46281/bjmsr.v9i2.2221 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
https://www.openaccess.nl/en
https://doi.org/10.46281/bjmsr.v9i2.2221
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7290-3608
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1803-0115


Berrouyne & Hami, Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research 9(2) (2024), 19-29

 

20 

The materials and methods section details the data sources, population sample, and multilevel modeling techniques. The 

results section presents key findings from the multilevel analyses, highlighting factors associated with undernutrition and 

overnutrition. In the discussion section, this research is compared to previous works in the field. The last section provides a 

concise overview of the main arguments and suggests policies to help reduce child malnutrition in Morocco. 

 

LITERATURE REVIEW 

We adopted a structured approach to gathering literature, using keywords such as "multi-level regression techniques," 

"malnutrition", "determinants or risk factors", and "child under five". We searched for relevant articles in electronic 

databases like Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed via the "Publish or Perish" platform, employing Boolean operators 

"AND/OR."   

Across various studies, individual-level factors such as age, gender, birth characteristics, health conditions, 

breastfeeding practices, and maternal factors significantly influence child malnutrition. A child's age plays a crucial role, as 

stunting is more common in children older than 11 months, especially those between 12 and 24 months. Additionally, the 

risk of undernutrition increases for children aged 12-36 months. Conversely, children aged 2-3 years have a lower risk of 

obesity or overweight compared to those younger than two years, highlighting different vulnerabilities across age groups 

(Adekanmbi et al., 2013; Aman & Kawo, 2020; Amegbor et al., 2020; Ayele et al., 2022; Chikako et al., 2021; Dabale & 

Sharma, 2014). However, in some contexts, female children are more frequently malnourished due to gender inequalities, 

while other studies found no significant gender difference in malnutrition rates (Adekanmbi et al., 2013; Aman & Kawo, 

2020; Amegbor et al., 2020; Bhowmik & Das, 2019). Multiple births present higher malnutrition risks due to increased 

competition for nutrition among siblings, leading to a higher risk of being stunted and underweight compared to single 

births. This is due to higher demands on maternal resources, as well as lower individual care and nutrition (Adekanmbi et 

al., 2013; Aman & Kawo, 2020; Amegbor et al., 2020; Asmare & Agmas, 2022; Tamir et al., 2022). Birth order and birth 

interval are also significant determinants. A higher birth order and shorter birth intervals increase the risk of malnutrition. 

Later-born children face higher malnutrition risks, potentially due to resource constraints, while shorter birth intervals can 

lead to maternal nutritional depletion, impacting the health of subsequent children (Haile et al., 2016; Muche & Dewau, 

2021; Tamir et al., 2022). 

Parental education and healthy practices are critical determinants of child nutrition. Higher maternal education 

levels are consistently associated with lower rates of child stunting and underweight. Mothers' levels of education positively 

impact maternal health, child nutrition, and access to healthcare. Mother's Proper health practices, such as health-seeking 

behaviors, antenatal care visits, vaccinations, breastfeeding, and maintaining a healthy BMI, significantly impact child 

nutrition. Children of mothers with regular health check-ups and proper feeding practices are less likely to be malnourished. 

Studies indicate that maternal and health-seeking behaviors reduce the likelihood of child malnutrition, while poor health 

practices exacerbate these risks. Numerous studies (Al-Sadeeq et al., 2018; Amegbor et al., 2020; Aman & Kawo, 2020; 

Asmare & Agmas, 2022; Ayele et al., 2022; Begashaw & Moges, 2020; Hanandita & Tampubolon, 2015; Rajaram et al., 

2007; Roobiati et al., 2019; Tesfaw & Dessie, 2022) emphasize these protective effects. Paternal education contributes to 

better child nutritional outcomes, although its impact is generally less pronounced than maternal education. Fathers with 

higher education levels are likely to support health and nutritional practices that benefit children (Amegbor et al., 2020; 

Haile et al., 2016).  

Proper breastfeeding practices are essential for child nutrition. Inconsistent or nonexistent breastfeeding increases 

the risk of stunting. Researchers have linked the timely introduction of complementary foods to lower odds of malnutrition, 

underscoring the importance of early and appropriate nutritional interventions (Begashaw & Moges, 2020). Furthermore, 

children of empowered mothers who make decisions about their health, purchases, and visits to health institutions are less 

likely to experience concurrent wasting and stunting. This empowerment positively impacts child nutrition, as these mothers 

are more likely to seek timely healthcare, adopt better nutritional practices, and overcome cultural barriers that might 

otherwise hinder their children's nutritional status. Consequently, empowered mothers contribute significantly to reducing 

malnutrition among their children (Roba & Başdaş, 2023). 

Household wealth, sanitation, water access, and area of residence are critical determinants of child nutrition. Across 

various studies, children from poorer households have significantly higher odds of being malnourished compared to those 

from wealthier households. Economic constraints in poorer households limit access to nutritious food and healthcare, 

exacerbating malnutrition risks. Moreover, access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation is crucial for preventing 

malnutrition. Poor sanitation and a lack of clean water led to higher rates of infections like diarrhoea, exacerbating nutritional 

deficiencies. Furthermore, whether children live in urban or rural areas plays a role in determining nutritional outcomes. 

Children residing in rural areas are more likely to be malnourished compared to those in urban areas. Urban areas generally 

provide better infrastructure and services that support child nutrition. Studies across various contexts emphasize the 

importance of these factors in reducing malnutrition and promoting better health outcomes (Ayele et al., 2022; Dabale & 

Sharma, 2014; Das & Gulshan, 2017; Aheto et al., 2015; Kalinda et al., 2023; Kumar et al., 2019; Muche & Dewau, 2021; 

Mulyaningsih et al., 2021; Kaid et al., 2022; Sahiledengle et al., 2022; Sk et al., 2021; Smith & Shively, 2019; Yunus & 

Rahman, 2019).   

Community-level factors such as illiteracy rates, geographic and environmental conditions, religion, maternal 

employment, and poverty significantly influence child nutritional outcomes. Poverty at the community level exacerbates 

malnutrition by limiting access to essential resources. Effective interventions must consider these community-level factors 

(Aman & Kawo, 2020; Amegbor et al., 2020; Chikako et al., 2021; Enbeyle et al., 2022; Gebru et al., 2019; Haile et al., 

2016; Aheto et al., 2015; Kumar et al., 2019; Roba & Başdaş, 2023). The availability and quality of public health 

infrastructure, including healthcare facilities and services, are critical to addressing malnutrition. Communities with robust 



Berrouyne & Hami, Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research 9(2) (2024), 19-29

 

21 

health infrastructure can better prevent and manage malnutrition (Fotso, 2007). Community-wide education programs on 

nutrition and health can significantly reduce malnutrition. Educating whole communities can ensure widespread knowledge 

and improve practices across the board (Sahiledengle et al., 2022). 

In summary, this literature review has analyzed the determinants of child malnutrition, highlighting its complexity 

and multifactorial nature, influenced by socio-economic, environmental, and cultural factors. This study aims to investigate 

the determinants of undernutrition and overnutrition among Moroccan children under five, focusing on individual, 

household, and community influences using a multilevel modeling methodology. Despite extensive research, unresolved 

issues remain, including contradictions about gender influence and maternal employment's impact on malnutrition. The role 

of cultural factors and the effectiveness of community-wide interventions also need further exploration. This study will 

address these gaps by analyzing multi-level factors contributing to child malnutrition in Morocco and proposing strategies 

for reducing malnutrition rates. 

This research aims to bridge the gap in understanding how global determinants of malnutrition manifest in the 

Moroccan context. Based on the literature review, we propose nine hypotheses to investigate the multifaceted determinants 

of malnutrition among Moroccan children under five. The following are the hypotheses that this study takes into account. 

 

Hypothesis H1: Child-specific factors, including being a twin, age, gender, birth sequence, and low birth weight, 

significantly influence the risk of malnutrition among children. 

Hypothesis H2: Lower levels of parental education and younger maternal age are associated with children's malnutrition 

rates (both undernutrition and overnutrition). 

Hypothesis H3: Maternal behaviors, such as place of delivery, previous breastfeeding practices, and the ability to provide 

quality nutrition, are crucial factors of malnutrition among children under five. 

Hypothesis H4: The composition of the household family, whether nuclear or extended, significantly impacts the two 

phenomena. 

Hypothesis H5: Because of resource constraints, larger household sizes are associated with higher malnutrition rates 

among this population. 

Hypothesis H6: According to the wealth quintile, household wealth is a strong indicator of undernourishment in children. 

Hypothesis H7: Communities with a higher proportion of poor households have higher rates of undernourishment in 

children due to limited access to healthcare and proper nutrition. 

Hypothesis H8: The proportion of educated women in the community significantly influences malnutrition rates among 

children under five, with higher education levels within the community associated with lower malnutrition rates. 

Hypothesis H9: Urbanization is associated with a dual burden of malnutrition among children under five, with urban areas 

experiencing both undernutrition and overnutrition due to lifestyle and dietary shifts. 

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Source of Data 

We utilized data from the 2018 Population and Family Health Survey (PFHS) for this research. The survey collected detailed 

responses from 9,969 women aged 15 to 49 and interviewed 15,022 households. Our study analyzes a subset of the data, 

encompassing 5,983 children aged 0 to 59 months. This sample includes 3,120 males and 2,863 females, offering a balanced 

gender perspective. We employ multilevel modeling techniques to dissect the complex interplay of determinants at three 

levels (individual, household, and community). Multilevel modeling techniques are exceptionally well suited to our dataset's 

level composition. This structure embeds children in households, integrating them into broader community settings. 

 

Outcome Variables 

This study uses a dual-index approach to assess nutritional status, classifying children with a score of 1 for any form of 

malnutrition (stunting, underweight, wasting, overweight, or obesity) and 0 otherwise. We constructed these variables based 

on WHO standards (Moroccan Ministry of Health, 2019; WHO, 2006). This dual-index approach, integrating all five 

components of malnutrition, offers a more precise evaluation of the nutritional challenges in the child population. In 

response to the complex nature of child malnutrition, we will construct two separate dependent variables. We derive the 

first variable, undernutrition, from its three key components and formulate the second variable, overnutrition, from its two 

distinct elements. Utilizing this methodology enhances precision in evaluating the nutritional issues encountered by the child 

population (Nandy & Svedberg, 2012). 

 

Explanatory Variables  

Building upon the literature review presented above, which explores a range of determinants from socio-economic to 

contextual factors, we develop a detailed understanding of the explanatory variables pertinent to child malnutrition in 

Morocco. We will adopt the UNICEF conceptual framework, which classifies the factors affecting child malnutrition into 

three levels: individual, meso, and macro. "Child characteristics" refers to a child's various attributes and conditions that 

may influence health outcomes. It considers the presence of twins in addition to commonly analyzed variables such as the 

child's age, gender, birth sequence, and weight at birth. Parental characteristics refer to various attributes of the parents that 

can impact the health and nutrition of the child. These include parental education level and the mother's age. Maternal 

behaviors are the mother's various actions and practices that can impact the child's health and nutrition. Key variables include 

the place of delivery, previous breastfeeding practices, and the ability to provide quality nutrition to the child. At the meso 

level, we will consider household family composition, family size, and the well-being quintile. Household family 

composition: This includes parents, siblings, grandparents, and other extended family members living within the household. 



Berrouyne & Hami, Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research 9(2) (2024), 19-29

 

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Size of the Household: This refers to the total number of household members. Quintile of well-being: This refers to dividing 

the population into five equal parts based on economic status. We classify these values as "poor'' for the first and second 

quintiles, "middle" for the third quintile, and "rich" for the fourth and fifth quintiles. For the contextual level, we constructed 

two other variables besides the area and region of residence variables. Thus, we have synthesised two variables by 

aggregating household characteristics at the cluster level, the primary unit of analysis in the 2018 PFHS. We divide the 

proportion of educated women in the community into low, high, and very high levels. Finally, we consider the area of 

residence, differentiating between rural and urban modalities.  

 

Statistical Analysis 

This study employs multi-level modeling. Given that the dependent variables are dichotomous and taking the data's 

hierarchical structure into account, there is a potential for correlation among observations at the same level. This correlation 

challenges the assumption of independence fundamental to most single-level analysis models (Snijders & Bosker, 1999). 

We estimated two models for each dependent variable to evaluate the impact of independent variables on children's 

malnutrition across the three analysis levels we considered. 

Null model (M0): This model yields the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) as a key statistic. A significant 

deviation of this coefficient from zero indicates the presence of multiple unseen factors associated with children in the same 

community or household, which are likely to impact the incidence of child malnutrition. The greater the variance, the more 

pronounced the difference between groups. We can express the Null model as follows: 

 

𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒕(𝒀𝒊𝒋𝒌) = 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝑷 ((𝒀𝒊𝒋𝒌 = 𝟏)/(𝟏 − 𝑷(𝒀𝒊𝒋𝒌 = 𝟏)) = 𝜷𝟎 + 𝒗𝒌 + 𝒖𝒋𝒌 + 𝒆𝒊𝒋𝒌 

 

i stands for individual-level observations, j for household-level observations, and k for community-level observations. In 

this model, the symbol 𝑌𝑖𝑗𝑘  represents the undernutrition or overnutrition of the child on three levels. Expression 𝑣𝑘 +  𝑢𝑗𝑘 +

𝑒𝑖𝑗𝑘 constitutes the random component of the model, and 𝛽0 represents its fixed part. Here, 𝑣𝑘, 𝑢𝑗𝑘, and 𝑒𝑖𝑗𝑘 are unobserved 

random variables, each following a normal distribution with variances 𝜎𝑣
2, 𝜎𝑢

2, and ᴨ²/3, respectively, and mean 0. The full 

model (M1) incorporates all explanatory variables. The full model (M1) incorporates all explanatory variables.   

 
𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒕(𝒀𝒊𝒋𝒌) = 𝜷𝟎 + 𝜷𝟏 𝒙𝒊𝒋𝒌 + 𝜷𝟐 𝒙𝒋𝒌 + 𝜷𝟑 𝒙𝒌 + 𝒗𝒌 +  𝒖𝒋𝒌 + 𝒆𝒊𝒋𝒌 

 

We use Stata, version 17 software, to analyze the data. 

 

RESULTS 

In 2018, 18.4% of Moroccan children (0–59 months) suffered from undernutrition, which includes stunting, underweight, 

or wasting, as shown in Table 1. Additionally, 10.8% of children in this age group experienced overnutrition, which 

manifested as overweight or obesity. 

 

Table 1. Undernutrition and overnutrition status of children 

 
Child victims of malnutrition Undernutrition  Overnutrition 

Yes 18.4 10.8 

Non 81.6 89.2 

Total 100.0 100.0 

       

Tables 2 and 3 comprehensively summarise the multi-level modeling results for undernutrition and overnutrition 

based on various explanatory variables. These tables present the odds ratios (OR) for different factors across the two models 

(M0 and M1), highlighting how individual, household, and contextual factors affect children's nutrition. The empty model's 

findings (M0) highlight significant contributions across different levels of child undernutrition. With intra-class correlation 

coefficients at 56% for the meso level and 12% at the community level, it is evident that unobserved factors at both 

household and community levels drive disparities in undernutrition. On the other hand, when we look at overnutrition, we 

see that meso- and community-level factors (with intra-class correlation coefficients of 57% at the meso level and 7% at the 

community level) have a significant effect. This shows that we cannot see household and community factors influence these 

nutritional outcomes.  

 

Table 2. Null model results (M0) 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

***p-value < 0.001; ** p-value < 0.01; * p-value < 0.05 

Characteristics Undernutrition Overnutrition 

Constant 0.08*** 0.04*** 

 Random effects 

Community var(constant)  0.90*** 0.52*** 

Community>HH var(constant) 3.32*** 3.90*** 

ICC  Community 0.12*** 0.07*** 

ICC HH> Community 0.56*** 0.57*** 

χ² de Wald   385*** 170*** 



Berrouyne & Hami, Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research 9(2) (2024), 19-29

 

23 

Model 1 integrates individual, household, and contextual factors, offering a comprehensive perspective on the 

diverse influences on nutritional outcomes. The youngest children, particularly those under six months, show significantly 

higher odds of undernutrition (OR = 2.32, p<0.001) and overnutrition (OR = 6.80, p<0.001) compared to the reference group 

of 48–59 months. Furthermore, the analysis for this complete model reveals a notable gender disparity, with male children 

facing higher odds of both undernutrition (OR = 1.48, p<0.001) and overnutrition (OR = 1.42, p<0.01). Moreover, birth 

weight is another critical factor influencing undernutrition among children. The results indicate that children with a low 

birth weight have significantly higher odds of undernutrition (OR = 1.93, p<0.01) than those with a high birth weight. This 

demonstrates that low birth weight is a substantial risk factor for undernutrition, highlighting the necessity for targeted 

nutritional support and monitoring for infants born with low or average birth weight to mitigate these risks. Thus, the results 

partially verify hypothesis H1, which suggests that child-specific factors like being a twin, age, gender, birth sequence, and 

low birth weight significantly influence the likelihood of malnutrition among children under five. Hypothesis H2, which 

links lower levels of parental education and younger maternal age to higher rates of malnutrition (both undernutrition and 

overnutrition) among children under five, only partially supports parental traits. It turns out that the level of parental 

education is the most critical factor, especially when both parents lack education, which has a significant effect on 

undernutrition (OR = 1.45, p<0.01). This highlights the importance of educational interventions targeting parents to improve 

child nutrition and health knowledge and practices. Maternal behaviors are also crucial determinants of malnutrition. We 

also partially confirm hypothesis H3 that maternal behaviors, including place of delivery, previous breastfeeding practices, 

and the ability to provide quality nutrition, are crucial determinants of malnutrition among children under five. Model 4 

sheds light on the importance of breastfeeding practices and the place of birth, which, while not significantly influential in 

the overnutrition model, show relevance to undernutrition outcomes.  

The Meso-level analysis does not directly test hypothesis H4, that the type of family in a household, including 

whether the family is nuclear or extended, significantly affects the nutritional status of children under five, with extended 

families being better at helping with child nutrition. The analysis does not explicitly differentiate between nuclear and 

extended family impacts on child nutrition, focusing instead on household size and wealth. However, the model's result 

confirms hypothesis H5, that resource constraints associated with larger household sizes lead to higher malnutrition rates 

among children under five. The model brings to light the challenges faced by larger households. Specifically, those with 

seven or more members are associated with an increased risk of undernutrition (OR = 1.42, p<0.05), pointing towards the 

dilution of resources or inadequate food distribution within these families. This finding calls for policies that support families 

effectively managing their nutritional needs, regardless of size. 

Furthermore, the wealth quintile confirms hypothesis H6, that household wealth significantly predicts child 

malnutrition, with children from poorer households more likely to suffer from malnutrition. The stark contrast in nutritional 

outcomes based on household wealth is evident, as children from poorer households exhibit significantly higher odds of 

undernutrition (OR = 2.40, p<0.001). This correlation underscores the critical link between economic status and nutritional 

health, highlighting poverty as a root cause of nutritional disparities. The macro level confirms H7's hypothesis that 

communities with a higher proportion of poor households have higher rates of malnutrition among children under five due 

to limited access to healthcare and proper nutrition.  

Additionally, the broader socio-economic environment, reflected in the community's poverty level, shows a 

pronounced impact on nutritional health, with communities experiencing higher rates of poverty associated with increased 

odds of undernutrition (OR = 1.61, p<0.01). This analysis aspect further illustrates the complex interplay between 

socioeconomic factors and child nutrition. Our findings do not support hypothesis H8, which posits that higher education 

levels within the community are associated with lower malnutrition rates. The focus is more on the immediate educational 

status of parents than the broader community. Lastly, we partially confirm hypothesis H9 that urbanization is associated 

with a dual burden of malnutrition among children under five, with urban areas experiencing undernutrition and 

overnutrition due to lifestyle and dietary shifts. The influence of living in rural areas emerges as a significant factor, with 

children in these settings showing higher odds of undernutrition (OR = 1.73, p<0.01). Model 1 further emphasizes 

geographic disparities by shedding light on the significant regional variations affecting nutritional outcomes among 

Moroccan children under five. Notably, while Beni Mellal Khenifra emerges as a region with a markedly higher risk of 

undernutrition (OR = 6.15, p<0.001), it is not the only area facing such challenges. The results uncover similar disparities 

in other regions, indicating a broader pattern of regional influence on nutritional health. In short, the findings highlight the 

multifaceted nature of child malnutrition, which is influenced by the three-level factors. Tackling these problems calls for 

focused, multi-level interventions considering parental education, child-specific characteristics, maternal behaviors, 

household composition, economic status, and geographic disparities. The insights from this analysis underscore the 

importance of comprehensive policies and programs that address these diverse determinants to improve child nutritional 

outcomes. 

 

Table 3. Multi-level undernutrition and overnutrition modeling results (M1) 

 
Characteristics Undernutrition Overnutrition Characteristics Undernutrition Overnutrition Characteristics Undernutrition Overnutrition 

Constant 0.006*** 0.02*** Under 25 years 1.05 0.82  Percentage of poor in the community 

INDIVIDUAL  FACTORS 25-29 years 0.98 0.67  LowR 1.00 1.00 

Child age 

months                                    

  30-34 years 1.04 0.66.  High 1.61** 1.16 

 48-59 monthsR 1.00 1.00 35-39 years 1.14 0.65**  % of educated women in the community        

Under 6 months 2.32*** 6.80***  Place birth of a child                Very highR 1.00 1.00 



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24 

 

***p-value < 0.001; ** p-value < 0.01; * p-value < 0.05.  R Reference category; ICC: intraclass correlation coefficient. 

 

DISCUSSIONS 

This study used 2018 PFHS data to investigate the factors influencing under and over-nutrition among Moroccan children 

under five. The multi-level analyses revealed that various factors determine these two phenomena at different levels of 

analysis. According to our results, undernutrition affects two out of eleven (18%) Moroccan children under five, while 

overnutrition affects one out of ten (10%).   

The findings of this study underscore the multifaceted nature of malnutrition among Moroccan children under five, 

influenced by individual, household, and community-level factors. Our results reveal concordances and discordances with 

existing literature, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions. So, our study confirms children under six months' critical 

vulnerability to undernutrition and overnutrition, with odds ratios (OR) of 2.25 and 6.49, respectively, compared to children 

aged 48-59 months. This aligns with previous research indicating that infancy is a high-risk period for malnutrition due to 

significant nutritional needs during early development (Adekanmbi et al., 2013; Aman & Kawo, 2020; Amegbor et al., 

2020). However, our findings contradict some studies that suggest older children are more prone to certain forms of 

malnutrition (Chikako et al., 2021). This discrepancy might be due to differences in feeding practices and healthcare access 

in different contexts. 

Furthermore, our analysis indicates that male children are at higher risk for undernutrition (OR = 1.49) and 

overnutrition (OR = 1.42). This finding is consistent with studies highlighting gender-specific vulnerabilities yet contrasts 

with others that found no significant gender difference (Bhowmik & Das, 2019). This disparity suggests that cultural and 

biological factors influencing malnutrition vary significantly across countries. Our results indicate that the rank of the child 

within the family is not an essential predictor of malnutrition, which contrasts with existing literature that suggests higher 

birth order is associated with increased risk of malnutrition due to resource dilution (Haile et al., 2016; Muche & Dewau, 

2021). This discrepancy might be due to variations in family dynamics, resource allocation, or cultural practices in Morocco 

that mitigate the negative impacts of higher birth order. 

Similarly, low birth weight emerges as a significant determinant of undernutrition (OR = 1.93), corroborating 

studies associating low birth weight with poor prenatal nutrition and subsequent health complications (Asmare & Agmas, 

2022; Haile et al., 2016). However, our findings differ from some research that indicates multiple births as significant 

predictors of malnutrition (Adekanmbi et al., 2013). In our study, twinning was not considered an important risk factor, 

6-11 months 1.90** 5.06***  Health 

institutionR 

1.00 1.00 Low 0.71 0.79  

12-23 months 2.20*** 8.15***  Home 1.01 0.98 High 0.89 1.03  

24-35 months 2.70*** 4.02***  Breastfeeding Place of residence 

36-47 months 1.63** 1.90**  YesR 1.00 1.00 UrbanR 1.00 1.00 

Sex of children  No 1.35* 0.86 Rural 1.73** 0.92 

FemaleR 1.00 1.00 Quality of food                                           Region of residence 

Male 1.48*** 1.42** YesR 1.00 1.00 Casablanca SettatR 1.00 1.00 

Child rank No 1.04. 1.05. Tanger Tetouan Al 

Hoceima 

1.51 1.11  

4 or overR  1.00 1.00 HOUSEHOLD  FACTORS Oriental 3.03*** 1.47  

1 0.98 0.95  Family composition of the household        Fes Meknes 1.26 0.69  

2-3  1.27 1.44  NuclearR 1.00 1.00 Rabat Sale Kenitra 1.66 0.98  

Birth weight  Extended to 

ascendants 

1.03 1.36  Beni Mellal 

Khenifra 

6.15*** 2.82***  

HighR  1.00 1.00 Extended to 

siblings 

1.19 1.47  Marrakech Safi 2.36*** 0.50**  

Low 1.93** 0.63  Extended to 

others 

0.85 0.93  Draa Tafilalet 3.02*** 0.83  

Normal 1.46* 0.79  HH and children 0.44 0.80  Souss Massa 1.32 0.62  

Twin childR HH, children, 

and others 

1.07 0.90  Guelmim Oued 

Noun 

4.67*** 1.15  

NoR 1.00 1.00 Others 0.73 1.06  Laayoune Sakia El 

Hamra 

5.67*** 2.54*  

Yes 1.13 0.42 Household size   Ed Dakhla Oued Ed 

Dahab 

3.93** 0.38 

Parents education level                                 2-4R  1.00 1.00 Random effects 

Parents with 

secondary  

or higher 

educationR 

1.00 1.00 5-6  1.16 0.95  Community 

var(constant)  

0.35*** 0.43*** 

Parents without 

education 

1.45** 0.76  7 or over 1.42* 0.67.  Community>HH 

var(constant) 

3.73*** 3.94*** 

Parents with 

primary 

education 

1.40** 1.18  Household wealth quintile ICC  Community 0.05*** 0.06 

Mother more 

educated than 

father 

0.83 0.91  RichR 1.00 1.00 ICC HH> 

Community 

0.55*** 0.57 

Mother less 

educated than 

father 

0.96 0.87  Poor 1.46* 0.81  χ² de Wald   269*** 150*** 

Maternal age              Middle 1.40* 0.76     

40 years or 

overR 

1.00 1.00 CONTEXTUAL LEVEL FACTORS    



Berrouyne & Hami, Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research 9(2) (2024), 19-29

 

25 

possibly reflecting differences in healthcare practices or support systems available to mothers of twins in Morocco.  

In addition, parental education, particularly maternal education, is crucial in reducing malnutrition risks. Our results 

show that children of uneducated parents are more likely to be undernourished (OR = 1.45), aligning with numerous studies 

that demonstrate the protective effects of maternal education on child nutritional status (Aheto & Alangea, 2021; Begashaw 

& Moges, 2020; Kumar et al., 2019). Interestingly, our findings also highlight the significant impact of paternal education, 

albeit to a lesser degree, which diverges from the predominant focus on maternal education in many studies (Bhusal, 2022; 

Fotso, 2007). This suggests that in the Moroccan context, both parents' educational levels should be considered in nutritional 

interventions. Contrary to studies indicating that younger maternal age is associated with malnutrition rates (Aheto & 

Alangea, 2021; Al-Sadeeq et al., 2018), our results show that maternal age is not a significant predictor of overnutrition. 

This might suggest that other factors, such as socioeconomic status and maternal education, play a more crucial role in 

influencing overnutrition in Moroccan children. Our study did not find a significant link between where a child was born 

(at home vs. a healthcare facility) and malnutrition. This differs from previous research suggesting home births are more 

likely to lead to malnutrition because of limited access to immediate postnatal care and nutritional guidance (Roba & Başdaş, 

2023; Seboka et al., 2021). This discrepancy may be due to improvements in community healthcare support and nutritional 

education that mitigate the risks traditionally associated with home births in Morocco. Our analysis indicates that 

breastfeeding practices significantly impact child nutrition. Previous breastfeeding practices show relevance to 

undernutrition, aligning with studies emphasizing the importance of proper breastfeeding in preventing malnutrition 

(Begashaw & Moges, 2020; Enbeyle et al., 2022). However, our findings did not significantly impact overnutrition, 

suggesting that while breastfeeding is crucial for preventing undernutrition, overnutrition may require additional 

interventions focused on dietary quality and lifestyle. 

Additionally, our study did not find a significant impact of food quality on malnutrition outcomes, contrasting with 

numerous studies emphasizing the importance of dietary quality in preventing undernutrition and overnutrition (Adeyonu 

et al., 2022; Smith & Shively, 2019). This lack of significance might be due to the challenges in accurately assessing food 

quality or variations in dietary patterns and food availability in Morocco. It suggests that other factors, such as food security 

and access to diverse foods, might be more critical in this context. 

Furthermore, our study finds no significant impact of family composition on child nutrition, which is in discordance 

with existing literature. Indeed, previous studies suggest that children living in extended families have better nutritional 

outcomes than those in nuclear families due to more robust social support systems and resource sharing (Kalinda et al., 

2023; Titaley et al., 2019). However, our results did not show a significant difference, which might reflect unique cultural 

or socioeconomic dynamics in Moroccan households that differ from other contexts. Similarly, household size significantly 

impacts child nutrition, with larger households facing higher risks of undernutrition (OR = 1.81 for households with seven 

or more members). This supports existing literature highlighting resource constraints in larger households (Kalinda et al., 

2023; Titaley et al., 2019). However, our finding that larger households show a lower risk for overnutrition (OR = 0.72) 

contrasts with some studies that did not find significant differences based on household size (Roba & Başdaş, 2023). This 

might indicate varying food distribution dynamics and dietary quality across different contexts. In line with these findings, 

our results reveal that household wealth significantly predicts child malnutrition. Children from poorer households are more 

likely to suffer from undernutrition (OR = 2.40), aligning with numerous studies that associate poverty with higher 

malnutrition rates (Adekanmbi et al., 2013; Aheto & Alangea, 2021; Al-Sadeeq et al., 2018). Conversely, children from 

wealthier households are more likely to be overnutrition, suggesting a dual burden of malnutrition influenced by economic 

status. This supports the notion that while poverty exacerbates undernutrition through limited access to nutritious food and 

healthcare, affluence might increase overnutrition risks due to higher consumption of calorie-dense, low-nutrient foods 

(Smith & Shively, 2019; Yunus & Rahman, 2019). 

Our findings confirm the substantial influence of community-level factors on child nutrition. Communities with 

higher poverty rates are associated with increased odds of undernutrition (OR = 1.71), emphasizing the impact of 

socioeconomic status on nutritional health (Adekanmbi et al., 2013; Banu et al., 2023; Aman & Kawo, 2020; Bhusal, 2022). 

Contrary to several studies that emphasize the importance of community-wide education levels in reducing malnutrition 

rates (Roba & Başdaş, 2023), our findings do not support the hypothesis that higher community education levels are 

associated with lower malnutrition rates. Instead, immediate parental education appears to be more influential. This 

discrepancy may indicate that local interventions focused on improving parental education could be more effective than 

broader community education initiatives. 

Additionally, the higher risk of undernutrition in rural areas (OR = 1.87) reflects geographical disparities in access 

to nutritional resources and healthcare, consistent with findings from other studies (Ayele et al., 2022). Moreover, while 

previous research underscores the significant impact of urbanization on malnutrition, leading to both undernutrition and 

overnutrition due to lifestyle and dietary shifts (Smith & Shively, 2019; Yunus & Rahman, 2019), our results show a more 

pronounced risk of undernutrition in rural areas. This suggests that rural-urban disparities in access to nutritional resources 

and healthcare are more critical determinants of undernutrition in Morocco. Our findings also indicate significant regional 

disparities in malnutrition outcomes among Moroccan children, with regions such as Beni Mellal-Khenifra showing notably 

higher risks of undernutrition (OR = 6.15). This supports existing literature that emphasizes the impact of geographic and 

socioeconomic factors on child health (Ayele et al., 2022). However, our results also reveal that certain regions do not follow 

this pattern, suggesting that local interventions and policies might differ in effectiveness. This regional variability highlights 

the need for region-specific strategies to address malnutrition effectively. 

 

 

 



Berrouyne & Hami, Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research 9(2) (2024), 19-29

 

26 

CONCLUSIONS 

This study aimed to identify the multifaceted determinants of undernutrition and overnutrition in Moroccan children under 

five, using data from the 2018 PFHS. The study used a multilevel modelling methodology to account for the data's 

hierarchical structure, which embeds children within households and communities. The multi-level analysis revealed that 

factors at all three levels of analysis contribute significantly to child malnutrition.  

Specifically, child sex, age, birth weight, and parental education emerged as critical determinants. Younger 

children, especially those under six months, are particularly vulnerable to undernutrition and overnutrition. Male children 

and those with a low birth weight are also at increased risk. Parental education, particularly maternal education, plays a 

protective role against undernutrition, while larger household sizes increase the risk of undernutrition but decrease the risk 

of overnutrition. Community-level factors, such as poverty rates and rural residence, significantly influence undernutrition 

outcomes, with notable regional disparities, particularly in regions like Beni Mellal-Khenifra.  

This study's unique contribution lies in its multi-level approach, which provides a nuanced understanding of how 

individual, household, and community factors influence child nutrition outcomes. Unlike many previous studies, our 

analysis incorporates a comprehensive set of variables, offering a holistic view of the determinants of malnutrition in 

Morocco. Theoretically, this study advances the research on child malnutrition by highlighting the importance of considering 

multiple levels of influence. It supports the notion that addressing malnutrition requires interventions targeting individual 

behaviors, household dynamics, and community conditions. From a managerial perspective, the findings suggest that 

policies and programs to improve child nutrition should prioritize maternal education, support for larger households, and 

targeted regional interventions. Enhancing community healthcare support, particularly in rural areas, and ensuring access to 

diverse and nutritious foods are critical to mitigating undernutrition and overnutrition. We must strengthen healthcare 

services, especially in underserved rural regions, to provide timely and adequate nutritional support. Additionally, policies 

should promote food security and access to a balanced diet, particularly for poorer households.  

This study has several limitations. The cross-sectional design of the data makes it difficult to determine causation, 

and relying on self-reported data may lead to reporting biases. Regional disparities in this study highlight the need for more 

localized research to understand specific regional dynamics better.  

Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to establish causal relationships between the identified 

determinants and malnutrition outcomes. Investigating the impact of particular interventions over time would provide 

valuable insights into their effectiveness. Further research is necessary to investigate the mechanisms by which community-

level factors impact malnutrition, especially in diverse regional contexts. Addressing child malnutrition in Morocco requires 

a multifaceted approach considering the factors at three levels. Comprehensive policies and programs targeting these diverse 

determinants are essential for improving child nutritional outcomes and achieving sustainable health improvements for 

future generations. 

 

 
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, M.B. and H.H.; Methodology, M.B.; Software, M.B.; Validation, M.B., and H.H.; Formal Analysis, M.B. and 
H.H.; Investigation, M.B. and H.H.; Resources, M.B. and H.H.; Data Curation, M.B., Writing – Original Draft Preparation, M.B. and H.H.; Writing – 

Review & Editing, M.B. and H.H.; Visualization, M.B.; Supervision, H.H.; Project Administration, M.B. and H.H.; Funding Acquisition, M.B. and H.H. 

Author has read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
Institutional Review Board Statement: Ethical review and approval were waived for this study because the research does not involve vulnerable groups 

or sensitive issues. 

Funding: The authors received no direct funding for this research. 
Acknowledgments: Not Applicable. 

Informed Consent Statement: Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study. 

Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are available upon request from the corresponding author. Due to restrictions, they are not 
publicly available. 

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.    

 

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