Malnutrition is defined as both undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition is caused by a lack of food and recurring viral illnesses. Undernutrition is measured using many signs such as underweight wasting, stunting, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Under weight is the most commonly used indicator to monitor undernutrition. Narrative review was conducted through electrical databases; PubMed and Embase for relevant studies that were published up to beginning of 2022 in English language. Malnutrition is intimately tied to societal socioeconomic problems, which are frequently entrenched in poverty. Malnutrition and poverty fuel a downward spiral fueled by an increasing disease load, delayed growth, and limited ability to work. Maternal malnutrition, a lack of exclusive breast-feeding, inadequate complementary feeding habits, and a high burden of infectious illnesses are the primary risk factors for early childhood malnutrition.