Abstract

This study examines the impact of climate variability on undernutrition, specifically on the severity, trends, and seasonality of wasting, a crucial aspect of undernutrition, among children and mothers in rural Malawi. Various statistical methods were utilized to assess and analyze trends, seasonality, and correlations between climatic factors and wasting occurrences from January 2011 to December 2018. Although no significant trend changes were observed in climate variables, a notable increase in wasting cases over time, particularly during wet seasons, indicates a heightened susceptibility to climate-related stressors. While temperature and rainfall exhibit weak correlations with wasting, regression analyses reveal a significant influence of these factors on moderate child wasting and maternal wasting but not on severe child wasting. The findings underscore the persistent challenge of wasting, highlighting vulnerabilities within the population even under relatively stable weather conditions. This emphasizes the urgency for integrated climate-smart nutrition programs, targeted health interventions, and policy support to address malnutrition. Enhancing the resilience of rural farming communities in the face of climate change is imperative to improve nutritional outcomes and overall resilience to its effects. The study’s insights contribute to understanding the complex interplay between climate variability and malnutrition, advocating for multifaceted strategies to combat the adverse effects of climate change on vulnerable populations.