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Measuring malnutrition and dietary diversity: theory and evidence from India

Abstract:
Adequate nutrition constitutes one of the most basic dimensions of human well-being. Ample evidence exists for the functional link between a diverse diet and health outcomes or economic performance. However, a concise measure to capture nutritional diversity that utilizes typical household-level data, often the only data available in developing countries, is yet to be developed. In this paper, I propose a theoretical framework for such a measure by extending the Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology. The new framework enables the calculation of both the incidence and intensity of nutritional deprivation. Applying this framework, I construct a Nutritional Deprivation Index (NDI) for Indian states using household survey data on food consumption. The NDI is unique, and, compared to existing measures, it is more effective in both identifying the inadequately nourished and revealing the extent of food deprivation.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
SSD
Department:
International Development
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative
Journal:
OPHI Working Papers More from this journal
Issue:
108
Pages:
1-30
Series:
OPHI working paper
Publication date:
2017-01-15
Acceptance date:
2017-01-06
Edition:
OPHI Working Paper
ISSN:
2040-8188
Paper number:
108


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:671370
UUID:
uuid:bedbcd5f-6783-4bff-ad53-e9e69b0927c3
Local pid:
pubs:671370
Deposit date:
2017-01-17

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