Trickle-down Effects of Child Nutrition: Enhancing Mothers' Capabilities in Rural India

Satyam Raj Singh, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Hinke Haisma, University Of Groningen
Abhishek Singh, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

Public health interventions, particularly those targeting child malnutrition, often focus on direct health outcomes, such as reducing stunting and wasting in children. However, these interventions can have far-reaching, indirect effects on the well-being of mothers, who are often the primary caregivers. Using Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach, this study explores how improvements in child nutrition via interventions influence the capabilities of mothers in rural India. Through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), the research aimed to identify the specific ways in which child health and its interventions enhance mothers' capabilities. The study will attempt to cover improvements in mothers' physical and mental well-being, decision-making autonomy, access to healthcare, economic opportunities, time for leisure, among others. These broader impacts are often overlooked in traditional evaluations of public health programs. By capturing the indirect benefits of child nutrition, the study aims to provide a more comprehensive assessment of well-being and offer valuable insights for policy makers to design holistic programs that improve the well-being of both children and mothers. The findings will highlight the potential for these interventions to empower women and enhance their ability to pursue lives they value, contributing to long-term community health and development.

Keywords: Population and Development, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Population Policies

See extended abstract.