This paper, authored by Lisa C. Smith and Lawrence Haddad, examines the causes of child malnutrition in developing countries, focusing on the period from 1970 to 1995. The study aims to identify key determinants of child malnutrition and project future trends by 2020. Using data from 63 countries, the analysis identifies four underlying determinants: health environments, women's education, women's relative status, and per capita food availability. Two basic determinants—per capita national incomes and democracy—are also found to be significant. The study finds that improvements in women's education have been the most effective in reducing child malnutrition. For Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, regions with the highest child malnutrition rates, the paper identifies per capita food availability and women's education as priority areas for future interventions. The paper also discusses the limitations of past cross-country studies and proposes a conceptual framework to guide the analysis.This paper, authored by Lisa C. Smith and Lawrence Haddad, examines the causes of child malnutrition in developing countries, focusing on the period from 1970 to 1995. The study aims to identify key determinants of child malnutrition and project future trends by 2020. Using data from 63 countries, the analysis identifies four underlying determinants: health environments, women's education, women's relative status, and per capita food availability. Two basic determinants—per capita national incomes and democracy—are also found to be significant. The study finds that improvements in women's education have been the most effective in reducing child malnutrition. For Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, regions with the highest child malnutrition rates, the paper identifies per capita food availability and women's education as priority areas for future interventions. The paper also discusses the limitations of past cross-country studies and proposes a conceptual framework to guide the analysis.