Socio-Economic status versus Biological state dependence of siblings: What plays an instrumental role in determining childhood stunting in India?

摘要

The recent 4th round of National Family and Health Survey [NFHS] shows that 38.37 percent children under age five are still stunted in India as compared to 48.04 percent in NFHS-3 [2005-06]. Obtaining data from the third round of NFHS [2005-06], the present study found that 14.83 percent children were themselves stunted and had one or more stunted sibling. Through simulation, this paper upholds that the overall childhood stunting could be reduced by 14.84 percentage points if the clustered stunted siblings were not stunted. Maximum reduction in the stunting level was observed in the states with highest percentage of stunting. This paper puts forth empirical evidence that although sibling linkage play a significant role, the socioeconomic status of the household affects childhood stunting more prominently. Thus, policies should be directed in social and economic investment to indirectly combat child malnourishment in India.