Do High Temperatures Increase Child Malnutrition Level? A Spatial Analysis for India

Anindita Namhata, PhD Scholar, Presidency University, Kolkata
Mousumi Dutta, Presidency University

Extreme weather conditions have heightened susceptibility of children to malnutrition markedly, increasing risk of heat-related morbidity and mortality. While existing studies have examined linkages between climate indicators and long-term nutritional deficiencies, recent climatic conditions underline the need to analyze whether current climatic conditions affect child health in the short run. This study examines the relationship between maximum temperature and prevalence of wasting and underweight at the district level for India using spatial methods. The study combines data from the nationally representative National Family Health Survey (2019-21) and associated geo-tagged information on climatic conditions. Exploratory analysis reveals that areas with higher maximum temperatures tend to result in elevated risks of child malnutrition. The results from spatial error model shows a significant positive correlation between maximum temperature and underweight, though no such significant link was found for wasting. The spatial regime model reveals a non-linear association, indicating that extreme temperatures notably worsen child nutrition in inherently hot regions, with the effect being more pronounced for wasting vis-à-vis underweight. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the linkage between increasing temperatures, child malnutrition and geographical context to design effective, place-based intervention strategies to mitigate heat stress and improve nutritional status of the children.

Keywords: Spatial Demography, Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Health and Morbidity, Econometrics

See paper.