Regional Variations in Child Malnutrition in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Malnutrition is a major health concern in most developing countries in children aged less than 5 years. Child malnutrition is generally considered as a condition of child being undernourished or underweight or overweight. As Uttar Pradesh (UP) has the largest proportion of the country’s malnourished children, the study of child nutrition is relevant. Very few studies have been done to look into the spatial pattern of child malnutrition in India and none has been done in UP. In this study, we analyse the regional variation in Uttar Pradesh with respect to child malnutrition and examine the determinants of child malnutrition. Economic inequality (wealth index, place of residence and maternal education), social structure of the society (social groups, religion and sex of child), source of drinking water and toilet facility are directly connected with the health of children. Using Multivariate Logistic Regression analysis on the data of NFHS-4, this paper examines the regional variation of child malnutrition in Uttar Pradesh. The overall picture is that the intra-state regional variation of child malnutrition is present in Uttar Pradesh. The problem of wasting and being underweight is very high in the southern region. The eastern region is the second most concerned area for child health. Maternal education has been found to be negatively associated with child malnutrition. Thus, there is a need to implement health programmes region-wise to eliminate malnutrition. Also, there is a need to put a greater focus on female literacy which is low in Uttar Pradesh.