Child nutrition in India

Publication Date: January 1999

Publisher: International Institute for Population Sciences; East-West Center

Author(s): Vinod K. Mishra; Subrata Lahiri; Norman Y. Luther

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Coverage: India

Abstract:

Malnutrition plagues a disproportionately large number of children in India compared with most other countries. National-level data on child malnutrition in India have, however, been scarce. Recognizing this gap, India’s 1992–93 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) collected anthropometric data on the height and weight of children below four years of age. The NFHS is based on a large, nationally representative sample and therefore offers a unique opportunity to study the levels and determinants of child malnutrition in the country. This report estimates levels of child malnutrition and effects of selected demographic and socioeconomic factors on child malnutrition. The analysis focuses primarily on the country as a whole, with some findings for individual states. The NFHS Subject Reports is a series summarizing secondary analysis of data from the 1992-93 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in India. The NFHS collected information from nearly 90,000 Indian women on a range of demographic and health topics. Conducted under the auspices of the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the survey provides national and state-level estimates of fertility, infant and child mortality, family planning practice, maternal and child health, and the utilization of services available to mothers and children. IIPS conducted the survey in cooperation with consulting organizations and 18 population research centers throughout India. The East-West Center and a U.S.-based consulting firm, Macro International, provided technical assistance, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided financial support. Printed copies are available from the East-West Center Research Program, Population and Health Studies. Single copies are available free by airmail and may be reproduced for educational use.