On comparison of nutritional deprivation: an illustration using Foster Greer Thorbecke criterion

Abstract

This is an illustrative note on application of Foster Greer Thorbecke (FGT) criterion to measurement and comparison of undernourishment among children. Given the semblance between head-count measure of poverty and measuring undernourishment among children, there arises a need for application of FGT criterion in assessment of undernourishment as well. This not only helps in assessing intensity and inequality aspect but also can adjust the head count accounting for both to make a valid comparison on levels of undernourishment across situations.

What\'s Wrong with the Assessment of Nutritional Deprivation? A Tale of Rural India

“…This is further reflected in the lower incidence of stunting and underweight among children in these states (Mishra and Mishra, 2009). …”

Using the Mean of Squared Deprivation Gaps to Measure Undernutrition and Related Socioeconomic Inequalities

“…the transfer sensitivity axiom). A number of applied studies have used the MSDG to measure deprivation in terms of various indicators, including non-income facilities such as housing, health and education (for example, Greer and Thorbecke, 1986;Ravallion, 1992, 1997;Swain, 2008;Mishra and Mishra, 2009;and so forth).…”

“…Swain (2008) has used the MSDG (or the 'quadratic measure') and the modified version of Sen's income poverty index to measure deprivation in terms of multiple real indicators (namely, nutritional intake and physical growth). Mishra and Mishra (2009) have computed the 'Undernourishment Gap Index' (FGT index with a ¼ 1) and the MSDG (or the 'Severity Index' or FGT index with a ¼ 2) of child nutritional status in India using the Second National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2) data. While the headcount ratio does not take into account the nutritional shortfalls of the undernourished, the mean of deprivation gaps (the FGT measure with a ¼ 1) is not a weighted average of nutritional shortfalls.…”

“…Mishra and Joe (2010),Van de Poel and Speybroeck (2009),Mishra and Mishra (2009), Joe et al (2008, 2009), and Bharati et al (2008 are…”

“…Swain (2008) has applied the framework typically used for the measurement of income poverty to measure the physical underdevelopment of children in two villages of the state of Orissa in India. Another recent study by Mishra and Mishra (2009) has illustrated the application of the Foster Greer Thorbecke (FGT) criterion to assess the extent of nutritional deprivation among Indian children. The first objective of this paper is to judge the merits of the MSDG as a measure of nutritional deprivation in continuum with the existing literature.…”