Investigating Socioeconomic Inequality in the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) among Children in India: A Study Based on NFHS-5 Data

Socioeconomic disparities significantly affect anthropometric failures and child health in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of anthropometric failure among children in India and to identify socioeconomic inequalities. Data from the fifth round of the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019 and 2021 was utilized for the analysis. The nutritional status of children under the age of 5 years from the mother of usual residence was taken for the analysis (n = 213,589). The conventional method of identifying anthropometric failure was used to assess the nutritional status of the children. Results show an overall CIAF prevalence of 49.85% among children, among them, 14.14% were stunted and underweight, followed by 13.83% only stunted, and 4.71% of children show all kinds of anthropometric failure. Results show the odds of CIAF were more likely among children between 12 month and 35 months ages, among male children, having a lower birth weight and smaller size, higher birth order, children who never breastfed, lower maternal age at delivery, lower maternal height, a mother with no education and mass media exposure, male-dominated households, households having a higher number of members, unimproved toilet facilities, among scheduled tribes, and Muslims. The poorest households show a higher likelihood of CIAF. All other regions of India show a higher likelihood of CIAF than the North region, except the Northeast. The study suggests that socioeconomic disparities are a significant determinant in CIAF, and improving population- level policies and programs will lessen these disparities and enhance children’s nutritional development in India.