Abstract
Child malnutrition continues to be a major public health concern in India, significantly affecting children’s growth and development. This study examines malnutrition trends over one and a half decades (2005–2021) using data from NFHS-3, NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, with a focus on three key indicators: stunting, wasting, and underweight. This study analyzed malnutrition trends among children under five years old, assessing the prevalence of undernutrition indicators at the national level. Changes over time were examined to evaluate the overall burden of malnutrition. A multilevel logistic regression model was applied to estimate the likelihood of undernutrition, considering both household and individual-level factors. A substantial decline in stunting from 48% (NFHS-3) to 38% (NFHS-4) and 36% (NFHS-5), indicating improvements in chronic malnutrition. Similarly, underweight prevalence decreased from 43% (NFHS-3) to 36% (NFHS-4) and further to 32% (NFHS-5). However, wasting showed minimal change, fluctuating around 20%, suggesting persistent challenges in addressing acute malnutrition. The study further analyzes the impact of age, gender, social status, religion, access to safe drinking water, cooking fuel, sanitation, and wealth index on malnutrition disparities. Emphasize the need for targeted interventions, including improved healthcare access, enhanced maternal nutrition, and poverty alleviation programs, to sustain progress in reducing malnutrition. Prioritizing nutrition-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is essential for improving child health and reducing malnutrition. Despite advancements, addressing acute malnutrition and regional inequalities remains critical for achieving sustainable child health improvements.
Keywords: Malnutrition, NFHS, Nutrition Trends, Stunting, Underweight, Wasting.