Malnourishment among children in India: a regional analysis
Nair, K.R.G.
Economic and Political Weekly 42(37): 3797-3803
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-9976 Document Number: 201831
This paper analyses inter-state differentials in malnourishment among children in India on the basis of the National Family Health Survey, 1992-93, 1998-99 and 2005-06. It brings out the prevalence of widespread disparities and indicates that these differentials are increasing over time. The study clearly reveals that such differentials do not always vary with the extent of poverty prevalent among the people of the state. Also the higher the age at which women have their first child and the earlier the start of breast feeding of newborn children, the less is the prevalence of child malnourishment. It finds the Integrated Child Development Services suited to tackle these aspects and makes a plea to extend it and make it more oriented towards reducing child malnourishment.