Explaining recent increases in calorie intake in rural India: the role of social policy strengthening
Date
2019
Authors
Pritchard, Bill
Lahiri-Dutt, Kuntala
Siddiqui, Md Zakaria
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
During the past decade, considerable research efforts have sought
to explain India’s “calorie consumption paradox”, namely, the
coexistence of a decline in average per capita calorie intake in
rural India alongside increased material living standards. Evidence
from the most recent (68th) round of the National Sample Survey
(NSS), released in 2014, however, indicates increases in calorie
intake, notably among poorer income quintiles. This paper argues
that the turnaround in these data is linked to the improved performance of pro-poor social protection measures. Analysis of data
suggests a close association between states that have made the
greatest improvements in social policy delivery systems, and
increased calorie intake for the poorest quintile of rural populations. This conclusion supports wider international evidence on the
importance of social protection strengthening for nutrition-sensitive economic growth.
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Source
India Review
Type
Journal article
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2099-12-31