Addressing Under-Nourishment in India: Insights from Factor Analysis and Regression Analysis

Ananya Kashyap, Jyotika Hazarika

Abstract


Malnutrition is a situation where an individual intakes insufficient energy and nutrients to meet the requirement of maintaining good health. India, despite its economic growth and advancements in agricultural productivity, continues to face significant challenges in combating malnutrition. Rising inflation, fluctuating food prices, and climate change-induced agricultural instability exacerbate undernourishment, particularly among rural and marginalized communities. This study investigates the determinants of under-nutrition in India using factor analysis and regression modelling. Three key factors were identified: Economic Development and Inequality, Price Dynamics and Consumption Patterns, and Environmental and Institutional Factors. Regression analysis revealed that Price Dynamics and Consumption Patterns significantly exacerbate under-nutrition (B = 0.604, p = 0.014), highlighting the critical role of food prices and inflation in worsening food insecurity. In contrast, Economic Development and Inequality and Environmental and Institutional Factors did not show statistically significant effects. The findings align with economic theories such as the Demand-Supply Theory, Kuznets Curve, and Malthusian Theory, emphasizing the importance of stabilizing food prices, reducing income inequality, and promoting environmental sustainability. Policy implications include implementing price controls, subsidies, and investments in agricultural productivity to mitigate food price volatility, alongside addressing income inequality and strengthening institutional frameworks.

Keywords


Under-nutrition, Food security, Economic development, Price dynamics, Environmental sustainability, Factor analysis, Regression analysis, India

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References


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