Shri Kant Singh|Swati Srivastava|Ashish Kumar Upadhyay
Socio-economic inequality in malnutrition among children in India: an analysis of 640 districts from National Family Health Survey (2015–16)
International Institute for Population Sciences|International Institute for Population Sciences|International Institute for Population Sciences
abstract background despite fastgrowing economy largest antimalnutrition programme india worlds worst level child malnutrition despite indias 50 increase gdp since 1991 one third worlds malnourished children live india among half children age 3 years underweight third wealthiest children overnutrient one major causes malnutrition india economic inequality therefore using data fourth round national family health survey 201516 present study aims examine socioeconomic inequality childhood malnutrition across 640 districts india method concentration curve generalized concentration index used examine socioeconomic inequalities malnutrition however regressionbased decomposition methodology used decomposes causes inequality childhood malnutrition result result shows 38 children india stunted 35 underweight 201516 prevalence stunting underweight children varies considerably across indian districts 13 65 7 67 respectively districts higher share undernourished children coming particular regions like central east west part country average 35 household district access safe drinking water 42 household district exposed open defecation study found inverse relationship districts economic development childhood stunting underweight concentration stunted well underweight children found least developed districts india decomposition approach found practice open defecation positively influenced inequality stunting underweight inequality undernutrition accelerated height education mother availability safe drinking water district conclusions districts lied spectrum developmental diversity required specific set informations covering socioeconomic demographic healthrelated quality life people backward districts generally policies avail improved water sanitation facility public female literacy continued also important see benefits infrastructure general economic development spread evenly across districts