What explains the rural-urban differentials in childhood malnutrition in India: Analysis of NFHS, 1992-06

This paper examines trends in rural-urban differentials in childhood malnutrition in India using multi-round of National Family Health Survey data conducted during 1992-2006. Specifically, this paper looks into two aspects: first, it assess pattern in rural-urban differentials in childhood malnutrition in India and its states over time; second, it quantifies the extent to which socio-economic and demographic characteristics can contribute to rural-urban gap in childhood malnutrition in the country. Descriptive statistics, linear regression models, and Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition techniques are used in the analysis. Result shows considerable rural-urban gap in childhood malnutrition and even the gap has increased over time. The increase was due to the rapid decline in prevalence of malnutrition in urban areas compared to rural areas. Over the period, the gap has narrowed down in few states while enlarged in many states of the country. Economic status of household and parental education accounted more in explaining rural-urban gap in childhood malnutrition in the country. These findings suggest that to reduce the burgeoning malnutrition between rural-urban areas, special attention is needed to focus on the rural deprived in the country.