Trends and geographic variability in gender inequalities in child mortality and stunting in India, 2006–2016

Alderman, Harold; Nguyen, Phuong Hong; Tran, Lan Mai; Menon, Purnima

doi:10.1111/mcn.13179

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Aligned with global research (Hossain et al, 2023;Kumar et al, 2019;Moshi et al, 2022;Tosheno et al, 2017), our study indicates that underweight likelihood rises with age, possibly due to insufficient supplementary feeding post 6 months or increased exposure to environmental hazards (Rao, 2011). The lower prevalence among girls updates past evidence on son preferences in India (Hvistendahl, 2011); recent data refute gender-based nutritional discrepancies (Alderman et al, 2021).…”

Section: Utilization Of Icds Servicessupporting

confidence: 74%

Utilization of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and its linkages with undernutrition in India

Singh,

Chauhan,

Alderman

et al. 2024

Maternal & Child Nutrition

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The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme has been the central focus of the POSHAN Abhiyaan to combat maternal and child malnutrition under the national nutrition mission in India. This paper examined the linkages between utilization of ICDS and underweight among children aged 6–59 months. The study utilized data from two recent rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS‐4 [2015–2016] and NFHS‐5 [2019–2021]). Descriptive analyses were used to assess the change in utilization of ICDS and the prevalence of underweight at the national and state levels. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine factors associated with the utilization of ICDS and underweight. Linkages between utilization of ICDS and underweight were examined using the difference‐in‐differences (DID) approach. Utilization of ICDS increased from 58% in 2015–2016 to 71% in 2019–2021. The prevalence of underweight decreased from 37% to 32% in the same period. Changes in ICDS utilization and underweight prevalence varied considerably across states, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Results from decomposition of DID models suggest that improvements in ICDS explained 9%–12% of the observed reduction in underweight children between 2016 and 2021, suggesting that ICDS made a modest but meaningful contribution in addressing undernutrition among children aged 6–59 months in this period.

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Section: Utilization Of Icds Servicessupporting

confidence: 74%

Utilization of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and its linkages with undernutrition in India

Singh,

Chauhan,

Alderman

et al. 2024

Maternal & Child Nutrition

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“…The lower risk of stunting among girls in LMICs is well documented, particularly in SSA, although there is no consensus about why or whether there are gender differences in associations with stunting that change with children's age (Alderman, 2021; Astatkie, 2020; Bork & Diallo, 2017; Duc & Behrman, 2023; Svedberg, 1990; Takele et al., 2019; Thompson, 2022; Thurstans et al., 2020; Wamani et al., 2007). Boys' comparative vulnerability to stunting has been hypothesized to be due to a combination of biological and social factors that place them at a disadvantage compared to girls (Bork & Diallo, 2017; Garenne et al., 2019; Svedberg, 1990; Thurstans et al., 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Girls' schooling is important but insufficient to promote equality for boys and girls in childhood and across the life course

Desmond

Watt

Naicker

et al. 2023

Development Policy Review

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MotivationInvesting in girls’ schooling in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) is seen as central to improving gender equity. It is argued that interventions to promote girls’ enrolment are appropriate as girls face gendered barriers to school enrolment and completion and investing in girls’ schooling has high economic and human‐development returns. But is this fair to boys and enough for girls?PurposeWe ask how appropriate it is to direct development assistance towards improving girls’ school enrolment, compared to prioritizing schooling for both girls and boys, and addressing barriers to gender equality throughout the life‐course.Methods and approachWe frame the enquiry through a human development framework with three distinct but interdependent domains: protection of human development potential; realization of human development potential; and use of human development potential.Using publicly available data, we identify indicators likely to be correlated with the degree to which human development potential is protected, realized, and utilized in LMICs. We compare male and female outcomes on each of these indicators to assess gender parity at different life stages.FindingsIn most regions, girls are ahead of boys in both school enrolment and completion. Girls have better outcomes than boys in several other indicators in early life and childhood.In adolescence and adulthood girls and women fall behind boys and men. This is especially apparent in workforce participation, in unemployment, in pay, and in share of unpaid care work and political participation where women have less favourable outcomes than men. The bias against women is most marked in South Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa.Policy implicationsA focus on girls’ schooling should be tempered by ensuring quality pre‐primary, primary, and secondary schooling for both boys and girls. Simultaneously we must address causes of gender inequality, including labour market discrimination and social norms which justify the exclusion and exploitation of women and girls.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…46 However, there has been a recent trend reported in analyses that males are more vulnerable to health inequalities and stunting in early childhood probably due to better nutrition in females. 47,48 Stunting has been recognized as an urgent priority in India. 3,36 The National Nutrition Mission (NNM) launched by the Indian Government aims to eradicate malnutrition in India by 2022.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Secular Growth Trends in Early Childhood—Evidence from Two Low-Income Birth Cohorts Recruited over a Decade in Vellore, India

Koshy

Karthikeyan

Mohan

et al. 2022

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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ABSTRACT. Stunting and extreme poverty are considered significant risk factors impacting child development in low-and-middle-income countries. We used two birth cohorts recruited 8–9 years apart in urban low-income (slum) settings in Vellore, south India and analyzed secular growth trends and their predictors. In the rotavirus cohort recruited between 2002 and 2003, 373 children completed the 3-year follow-up. “The Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development” (MAL-ED) cohort recruited between 2010 and 2012 had 215 children completing follow-up. The MAL-ED cohort had better socio-economic status (SES) markers and mothers were better educated compared with the previous cohort. Children in the MAL-ED cohort had less stunting at 1, 2, and 3 years of age. The linear mixed effects model evaluating linear growth during the first 3 years of age showed that low birth weight and being a female child were associated with stunting in both cohorts. There was no association between SES and stunting in the rotavirus cohort, whereas SES was associated with linear growth in the MAL-ED cohort. Future studies could incorporate nutritional and nonnutritional interventions in vulnerable populations to evaluate their effect on birth weight as well as early childhood stunting.

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Trends and geographic variability in gender inequalities in child mortality and stunting in India, 2006–2016

Cited by 8 publications

References 36 publications

Utilization of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and its linkages with undernutrition in India

Utilization of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and its linkages with undernutrition in India

Girls' schooling is important but insufficient to promote equality for boys and girls in childhood and across the life course

Secular Growth Trends in Early Childhood—Evidence from Two Low-Income Birth Cohorts Recruited over a Decade in Vellore, India

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