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Increasing disparity in childhood undernutrition across the caste groups in India: Trends during 1992-2016

Abhishek Kumar, Population Council

This paper examines trends in childhood undernutrition (stunting and underweight) across the ethnic groups of India and its regions using four rounds of the National Family Health Survey conducted during 1992-2016. The study further examines interaction effect of household wealth quintiles and mother’s education with caste groups on the childhood undernutrition. Descriptive statistics and pooled logistic regression analyses were applied to measure the disparity in childhood undernutrition across the ethnic groups. The prevalence of undernutrition differs considerably between Scheduled castes/Scheduled tribes (SCs/STs) and other castes; underweight among SCs/STs children in India being substantially higher than other castes. The prevalence has declined among children of both the castes, however differences between the caste group remained constantly high over time. Pooled multivariate analyses suggest that the disparity in undernutrition has increased across the caste groups in India over past 25 years. The analysis showing interaction effect clearly indicate the SC/ST children of even richest wealth quintiles and better educated mothers are significantly vulnerable than children’s other castes. The findings call for dedicated policies, in line with those already existing to improve the socio-economic status of SCs/STs population in India, to tackle rampant childhood malnutrition among SCs/STs children in the country.

Keywords: Health and morbidity, Children and youth, Inequality

See extended abstract.

  Presented in Session 137. Nutritional Status and its Health and Socioeconomic Effects in Asia