OBJECTIVES: To determine the difference in underlying factors related to child nutritional status between pastoral and agro pastoral based communities in Ethiopia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two rural pastoral communities located in the Somali region and agro pastoral community located in Southern Nations. Pairs of mothers and their infants aged 6 to 52 months were randomly selected to participate in the survey. Data was collected using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, Dietary Diversity, and Sanitation for Household Survey. Anthropometric measurements taken included height, length, and weight using WHO Anthro version 3.2.2. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences between communities. Logistic regression were used to analyze factors that contributed to infant health status. RESULTS: A total of 232 participants from both communities completed the survey. The agro pastoral community reported a higher food insecurity rate at 87% than the pastoral community at 70%. The prevalence of women not achieving the minimum dietary diversity was significantly higher in the pastoral community than the agro pastoral community (94% vs 68%, P