Malnutrition refers to a pathological condition resulting from an imbalance between the body’s nutritional requirements and the intake of nutrients. It includes both undernutrition and overnutrition, but in the context of population and development, it commonly denotes undernutrition, where individuals do not receive adequate calories, proteins, vitamins, and minerals necessary for growth, maintenance, and proper functioning of the body. Malnutrition manifests in various forms such as wasting (low weight for height), stunting (low height for age), underweight (low weight for age), and micronutrient deficiencies like lack of iron, iodine, vitamin A, and zinc. It is both a cause and consequence of poverty and underdevelopment, significantly affecting human capital formation and socio-economic progress. One of the primary factors of malnutrition is poverty. In developing countries, a large section of the population lives below the poverty line and lacks the financial capacity to purchase sufficient and nutritious food. Economic deprivation limits access not only to food but also to healthcare, sanitation, and education, which are crucial for maintaining nutritional well-being. Poverty often forces families to consume low-cost, calorie-dense but nutrient-poor diets, leading to chronic deficiencies and impaired physical and cognitive development. Rapid population growth is another significant factor. In many developing regions, population growth outpaces food production and economic growth. As family size increases, household resources are stretched thin, resulting in reduced per capita food availability. Large families may struggle to provide adequate nutrition to all members, particularly children and women. This demographic pressure can strain public services and infrastructure, thereby worsening food insecurity and malnutrition. Unemployment and underemployment also contribute to malnutrition. When individuals do not have stable and adequate income sources, their purchasing power declines. Irregular earnings make it difficult to ensure a consistent supply of nutritious food. In rural areas, seasonal unemployment in agriculture leads to periods of food scarcity, known as lean seasons, during which malnutrition rates often increase. Thus, economic instability directly affects dietary intake and nutritional status. Illiteracy and lack of awareness about balanced diets are critical social factors. Many families may have access to food but lack knowledge about nutritional requirements, appropriate feeding practices for infants and young children, and the importance of dietary