Severe Stunting in India: Patterns and determinants

Child nutrition is one of the key components of development. Despite rapid economic growth in India, many states are failing to fight against malnutrition. The paper, utilizing data from NFHS 3 (2005-06) explores the inequalities and determinants of severe stunting by applying concentration index and logistic models. Questions addressed are, why so many children are malnourished in spite of economic growth; what is the regional pattern of malnourishment by sex of the child; whether the extent of economic inequality on child malnutrition differs by child’s background? In India boys are more severely stunted than girls, yet the sex difference is marginal. Burden of severe stunting is higher among children from poor households, irrespective of child sex. However, urban poor are more disadvantaged over their rural counterpart. The burden of severe stunting for girl child among the poor is highest in the western region. Regional heterogeneity is widespread in severe chronic malnutrition which needs policy attention