Nutritional status of underfive children in the Northeastern States of India: Evidence from NFHS data

Abstract

Despite significant strides in economic development, India continues to face challenges in ensuring improved nutritional outcomes for its children. This situation underscores the urgent need to address a pervasive issue that threatens the health and future potential of the country's younger generation. The nutritional status of underfive children in the northeastern states of India was examined in this study using data from the latest rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted between 2019 and 2021. This study investigated the trends in the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children, highlighting disparities across states and socioeconomic groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified significant determinants of childhood malnutrition, including demographic and socioeconomic factors. Additionally, the study evaluated inequality in undernutrition using concentration indices based on wealth and maternal education. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address childhood malnutrition in the region, emphasizing the importance of socioeconomic factors in shaping nutritional outcomes. Policy implications include targeted efforts to improve maternal education, enhance access to healthcare facilities, and address socioeconomic inequalities to mitigate the prevalence of undernutrition in the northeastern states of India. Overall, this research emphasizes evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at reducing undernutrition and improving child health outcomes in the northeastern states of India.