| Despite consistent economic growth in India, levels of child malnutrition remain high. Two competing explanations for this phenomenon within the literature are that economic growth is not occurring in a manner beneficial to the health of the population, and that cultural factors, particularly the low status of women, are negatively impacting nutrition outcomes. This thesis, therefore, utilizes 2005-06 data from the National Family Health Survey of India to analyze the determinants of child malnutrition at the individual level. The results from multiple regression analysis indicate that both economic and cultural variables play a crucial role in nutrition outcomes, alongside factors such as feeding practices and demographics. However, household wealth is the single most important determinant of underweight in a child. |
