Growth and Nutrition: Preliminary Findings from the Round 5 Survey in India

Round 5 Longitudinal Growth and Nutrition Fact Sheet

This fact sheet presents findings from the fifth round of the Young Lives survey of children in United Andhra Pradesh in 2016. Young Lives has followed two cohorts of children since 2002. This fact sheet gives a snapshot of key growth and nutrition indicators for 15-year-olds in 2016 (Younger Cohort) and considers changes since this cohort was age one in 2002. The fact sheet also compares that to the data for 15-yearolds in 2009 (Older Cohort) to show changes in the context of children’s nutrition and growth over that seven-year period.

Key Findings:

Despite significant economic growth, over one quarter of our cohort of 15-year-old children continued to suffer from malnutrition (28% stunting and 25% thinness). But we observe a considerable reduction of malnutrition in 2016 compared to 15-year-olds in 2009 (28% compared to 36%). Significant inequalities persist in malnutrition status across socio-economic groups. For example, 17% of Other Caste children were stunted in 2016 compared to 37% of Scheduled Caste children. The food intake of children is changing over time. In 2016, 56% of Younger Cohort children had eaten pulses, legumes and nuts within the previous 24 hours, which is a substantial increase from 32% in 2009 for children of the same age. Sanitation must be a priority since only half of the households in our sample possessed sanitation facilities in 2016. Socially marginalised groups and the poorest households needs to be targeted in efforts to reduce malnutrition.