Transition in Childhood Malnutrition in India: Evidence from Various Cross-sectional
Surveysconducted during 1998 to 2013
Nutrition plays a significant role in growth and development of children. Progress in reducing malnutrition has been slower and more uneven, especially in developing countries. Reduction in chronic malnutrition among young children was one of the primary objectives of Millennium Development Goals (MDG). However, 162 million young children are still suffering from chronic malnutrition [1]. In 2014, an estimated 159 million children under five years of age globally were stunted, 50 million were wasted and 91 million children were underweight. About half of all stunted children lived in Asia and over one-third in Africa. Similarly, twothirds of all wasted children lived in Asia and almost one third in Africa [2]. Therefore, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also concentrate to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture (SDG-2) by 2030 [3].