Determinants of child Anthropometrics in India: A quantile regression analysis

Reduction in child malnutrition is central to economic and social development in any country as it has dire ramifications to physical, psychological and mental development of individuals over the life course. Child malnutrition is also associated with higher morbidity and mortality incidence. Therefore, it is imperative to have knowledge of its correlates and determinants. Examination of determinants of child nutrition at different points of its distribution has better policy implications than investigating predictors on average value. Using NFHS-III (2005-06) data, this study investigates determinants of nutritional status -measured by standard anthropometric indicators- of children aged 0-59 months in India using quantile regression approach. Results show that age and birth order is negatively associated with height for age and weight for age z-scores but these are positively associated with the weight-for-height z-scores. Mothers’ nutrition, educational level and better household environment are positively associated with the nutrition z-scores but these factors differential effects at different points of the conditional distribution of the anthropometric z-scores.