Relationship between household structure, maternal autonomy and undernutrition in Brazilian children

Child malnutrition is a problem in many countries, but especially in poorer communities. Stunting, an outcome of chronic undernutrition, contributes to poor quality of life, morbidity and mortality. Biological and socioeconomic factors contribute to malnutrition with recent studies focusing on aspects of maternal autonomy as an influencing factor. Maternal autonomy (defined as a woman’s personal power in the household and her ability to influence and change her environment) is likely an important factor influencing child care, and ultimately, infant and child health outcomes. To examine the relationship between maternal autonomy and child stunting in Brazil, we analyzed data from the Women’s National Demographic and Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Demografia e Saúde da Criança e da Mulher , PNDS 2006). Cross-sectional demographic, health and anthropometric data for mothers and their youngest child