Socio-economic determinants of child nutrition and growth: A longitudinal study in India

It is a well-recognised fact that child nutritional status is often associated with socio economic factors (SEFs). However, little is known about ‘how and when’ SEFs influence child growth in different stages of child growth. The study examines the linear association between SEFs at birth with their nutritional outcomes at different growth stages. It also estimates the probability of being malnourished. Further, the study explores the association with longitudinal growth in early-childhood (one-five years) and mid-childhood (five-eight years). The study has used data from the three rounds of the Young Lives Study conducted in Andhra Pradesh in 2002, 2006-2007, and 2009. Multiple linear/ non-linear regression model has been used. The study finds that SC and ST ethnic groups are the most vulnerable. The probability of being malnourished is higher, and longitudinal growth is lower for these, than the others groups. Maternal education and Wealth Index are the most important variables determining child nutritional status. Other SEFs such as toilet, clean drinking water, safe cooking fuel and electricity positively influence child nutritional status. All these associations are more influential for children of higher age groups. Similar is the case with longitudinal growth too. SEFs positively impact skeletal tissue growth and soft tissue growth, and the impact intensity of SEFs on a child’s longitudinal growth rises with children’s age.