Nutrition status in India: Dynamics and determinants

Abstract India’s success in economic reforms spurred high growth rates, nevertheless, poverty, malnutrition and nutritional security remain serious and persisting concern. The present study examined the dynamics in intake of calorie, protein and fat over years and across provinces and also inequality, determinants and regional prioritization of nutrients consumption. The data extracted from various consumption survey reports of the National Sample Survey Office since 1972-73 to 2011-12 indicated that calorie intake in a majority of the states has witnessed significant changes and reduction over time. While, the intake of protein remained consistent, per capita fat intake increased with rural Punjab and rural Odisha being the highest and lowest consumers, respectively. The per capita fat consumption is higher in urban vis-a-vis rural. Variation (CV) and inequality (Gini coefficient) in calorie, protein and fat intake showed a declining trend across rural and urban. Regional prioritization (biplot) indicated a strong linkage between rural and urban for nutrient consumption. Regression analysis using panel data indicated that the nutrient intake in rural India is influenced positively by per capita expenditure on food items, household size and literacy rate, and negatively by poverty rate. The nutrients consumption level is low in a majority of states by any norm which gets reflected in the nutritional outcomes. Reduction in inequality and variation accompanied by an increase in intake can be achieved by increased spending on nutri-rich food items and per capita consumption of cereals and pulses.