A Study on Income Inequality and Nutritional Status of Children in Rural Areas of Jammu and Kashmir: Evidence from Jammu District, India

Abstract

Children nutritional status is a powerful indicator of nutrition security and well-being of individual and reflects the nutritional and poverty situation of household. Good nutritional status of children under five years of age is very crucial for the foundation of a healthy life. This study is a small attempt to highlight the extent of malnutrition in rural areas of Jammu district on the basis of households’ economic status. It empirically investigates the relationship between income inequality and nutritional status of children under age of five years of age (stunting) in the rural areas of Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir. To determine the prevalence of undernutrition among different income groups of rural households, the study uses the data of a primary household survey. In order to measure the level of undernutrition (stunting), gender-specific anthropometric z-scores for height-for-age are calculated by using new child growth standards which are developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).  The study finds that children from households in the poorest quintile have significantly higher odds of stunting compared to those in the highest income quintile. The study revealed a negative association between income and the prevalence of stunting in the study area. It means the proportion of stunted children under five years of age decreases as the level of income increases among rural households. The study suggests that the government can help improve the nutritional status of children by taking important policy initiatives that addresses income inequality and poverty in rural areas.