figure 5 dipicts a simplified causal model of linking nutrition status with causal factors at household level. in this conceptual framework, the nutritional status is an outcome of food intake and health status. however, the unlying cause of health- environmental causes and health services-have been depicted in different boxes due to their different natures. a reduced state of health may be due in part to tenuous access to health care, poor housing and environmental conditions, and is possibly worsened by malnutrition, which predispose individual to diseases. the distinction between health services and environment is necessary to select appropriate intervention strategies.