One conclusion of this thesis is that the problem of malnutrition in Malawi can not be viewed as a small issue since the costs to the individual and to the nation are too great. Instead improvement in nutritional status needs to be viewed as an objective in a variety of sectors. Similarly its solution should not solely be limited to nutritionists since development planners in all sectors must be involved. In addition, considering the seriousness of the nutrition problem found in the country the time horizon for improvement to be evident should realistically be framed in terms of decades.