Mapping Inequality in the Triple Burden of Malnutrition among Child-Mother Pairs in India

Tamal Reja, Dept of Humanities And Social Sciences, National Institute Of Technology, Rourkela, India

The triple burden of malnutrition—undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies—presents significant public health challenges in India, particularly among child-mother pairs. Socioeconomic inequality in childhood malnutrition exists throughout the developing world and is a major concern. This study leverages data from the National Family Health Survey to explore disparities in the prevalence of the triple burden of malnutrition across diverse socio-economic and demographic groups in India. By examining indicators such as stunting, wasting, obesity, and anaemia, we aim to quantify the disparities in health outcomes and identify the most vulnerable populations. A decomposition analysis was carried out to examine the contribution of various socio-economic factors to the observed inequalities in malnutrition. The prevalence of the triple burden of malnutrition (TBM) increased from 4.8% in NFHS-4 to 7.3% in NFHS-5. It is higher in non-poor households (9%) and urban areas (10.2%), with Ladakh having the highest prevalence (19.2%). Malnutrition is more concentrated among higher socioeconomic groups. The increasing prevalence of the triple burden of malnutrition, especially among higher socioeconomic groups, highlights the need for targeted interventions. As malnutrition shifts across socio-economic strata, policies must address both rural and urban populations to reduce inequalities and improve health outcomes for child-mother pairs.

Keywords: Decomposition analysis, Children, Adolescents, and Youth

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