International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences 2014; 3(2): 37-43 Published online February 20, 2014 (http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijnfs) doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14 Implication of cultural factors in spatial patterns of stunting among the three main Frafra groups in Upper East Region of Ghana Christopher Sormiteyema Boatbil 1 , Chris Bambey Guure 2, * 1 Department of Liberal Studies, School of Applied Sciences and Arts, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Ghana 2 Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana Email address: csboatbil@yahoo.com (C. S. Boatbil), chris@chrisguure.com (C. B. Guure) To cite this article: Christopher Sormiteyema Boatbil, Chris Bambey Guure. Implication of Cultural Factors in Spatial Patterns of Stunting among the Three Main Frafra Groups in Upper East Region of Ghana. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences. Vol. 3, No. 2, 2014, pp. 37-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14 Abstract: Background: Child malnutrition is a public health problem in Ghana. Focused on three sub-districts of Gurene, Talensi and Nabdam in the Upper East Region of Ghana, this study examines how cultural factors occasion spatial patterns of stunting. Method: A questionnaire for 300 respondents were equally shared among sub-districts. Result: The study indicates significant spatial differences as Nabdam was very high (50%), Talensi high (37%) and Gurene (21%). Also, children of single mothers were better nourished followed by children of widows and those married. For all well-nourished children 43.4% lived in the Gurene area, 32% in Talensi area and 24.6% in Nabdam area. Factors such as ethnicity, religion, number per siblings and number of (women) were found to significantly contribute either directly or indirectly to stunting levels. Conclusion: The study found out that, there is enough evidence indicating that significant variations of under-five stunting exist among the three main sub-ethnic groups. All the variables under study had positive correlations with stunting among children under five years of age. However, the effects of these factors on stunting were enhanced by other factors including mothers’ education and age. Keywords: Malnutrition, Children, Stunting, Sub-Districts, Gurene, Talensis, Nabdams 1. Introduction Child malnutrition is a serious and most widespread public health problem in the developing world and also the most lethal nutritional disorder among children, Oppong (1999). Malnutrition means “badly nourished” but is more than just a measure of what we eat or fail to eat. Clinically, it is when the body’s nutritional reserves are depleted and insufficient to meet the day-to-day needs or added metabolic stress, Williams (1999). Two broad types of malnutrition exist. The types are micronutrient and macronutrient deficiencies malnutrition. The latter, aspect commonly studied in the social sciences is known as protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and is reflected in kwashiorkor, marasmus or marasmic-kwashiorkor. PEM has three indices namely stunting, underweight and wasting. For the purposes of this study, the term stunting is loosely used to mean PEM. Protein-energy malnutrition is the inadequate intake of protein or energy which causes severe stunting mostly in the first two years of life. It makes the body to utilize stored tissues of energy when nutrients supply is inadequate. Consequently, the body loses fat, muscle strength, and develops a skeletal appearance visibly noticed in the hands and the temporal muscle in front of and above each ear. In marasmic conditions the child experiences unbearable weaknesses, frequent sicknesses, and anorexia and develops dry and flabby skin, silver hair, hypothermia, reduced activity, mental retardation among others (Morley, 1994; Azure, 2003). Children require higher protein and energy needs and are more susceptible to infections compared to adults and therefore constitute the most vulnerable section of society. Good nutrition is thus imperative for child growth and gives antibodies to overcome infections. For instance, a child’s brain grows up to 80% of adult size in the first three years of life whilst events in its growth occur at defined times with