Morinda Revisited: Changes in Nutritional Well-being and Gender Differences After 30 Years of Rapid Economic Growth in Rural Punjab India

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  • 1 January 2003
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      • Published in RePEc
Abstract
A follow-up study of malnutrition and its determinants among children 6-24 months of age was carried out in rural areas of Punjab state in India 30 years after the original study, and following a period of rapid economic growth. The original 1971 study had found a high prevalence of mortality and malnutrition, and the worst gender difference in nutritional status ever recorded in an Indian study. The 2001 follow-up study found dramatic reductions in child mortality, child malnutrition, gender-based imbalances in child well-being and care, and family size, the result of participatory economic growth coupled with broad-based education, health and family planning services. Despite overall improvements in caloric intake, however, 40% of lower class children in 2001 were still consuming less than 50% of their caloric allowance. With minimal gender-based abortion and significantly reduced neglect and mortality of female children, gender balance among children in this area of rural Punjab improved markedly over the 30 year period.
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