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Striessnig, E. 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5419-9498 & Bora, J.K.
(2019).
Under-Five Child Growth and Nutrition Status:
Spatial Clustering of Indian Districts. VID Working Paper 03/2019.
Vienna Institute of Demography, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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Abstract
Variation in human growth and the genetic and environmental factors that are influencing it have been described worldwide. The objective of this study is to assess the geographical variance of under-five children nutritional status and its related covariates across Indian districts. We use the most recent fourth round of the Indian National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015-2016, which for the first time offers district level information. We employ principal component analysis (PCA) on the demographic and socio-economic determinants of childhood morbidity and conduct hierarchical clustering analysis to identify geographical patterns in nutritional status among children of age under five at the district level. Our results reveal strong geographical clustering among the districts of India. Throughout most of Southern India, children are provided with relatively better conditions for growth and improved nutritional status, as compared to districts in the central, particularly rural parts of India. Looking at average weight, as well as the proportion of children that suffer from underweight and wasting, northeastern Indian districts seem to be offering living conditions more conducive to healthy child development. The geographical clustering of malnutrition, as well as below-average child height and weight coincides with high poverty, low female education, lower BMI among mothers, higher prevalence of both parity 4+ and teenage pregnancies. The present study highlights the importance of combining PCA and cluster analysis methods in studying variation in under-five child growth and nutrition at the district level. We identify the geographical areas, where children are under severe risk of undernutrition, stunting and wasting and contribute to formulating policies to improve child nutrition in India.
| Item Type: | Other |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Malnutrition, India, principal component analysis, cluster analysis, socio-economic status, districts. |
| Research Programs: | World Population (POP) |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | Michaela Rossini |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Feb 2019 14:37 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Aug 2021 17:31 |
| URI: | https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/15737 |
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