Inequalities in Nutritional Status of Scheduled Tribe Children in Kerala

Abstract

In India, Kerala is always applauded for the better health outcomes, this becomes possible even with a very nominal per capita income. The health outcomes of the Kerala are comparable with the Developed nations. However, in 2013 there were about 47 infant mortality death reported in Attappadi, Kerala’s tribal region, further within a span of 8 years by infant mortality toll was raised to a total of 121. It created a necessity to examine the nutritional status of the ST children in Kerala and to take appropriate measures. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data was used to examine the nutritional status of the children both at Kerala and all Inda level. The finding clearly shows that the recent trends on child nutrition in Kerala are worrisome and there is a need to work with the marginalized communities. This paper makes an attempt to understand the nutritional outcome by social group, reasons for the inequality and disparity in the outcomes. Based on the finding the paper has suggested few policy prescriptions to address the general as well as group specific issues.