Caste and Child Stunting: Unveiling India's Nutritional Crisis

A troubling study indicates that India's child stunting crisis is exacerbated by entrenched caste systems, contributing to a staggering 35% stunting rate among children under five. Comparatively, children from higher-ranked castes experience significantly lower rates of malnutrition, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

The ongoing child stunting crisis in India, where official data reveals that 35% of the nation’s 137 million children under five are stunted, is closely linked to decades of caste discrimination, new research indicates. As India grapples with higher child stunting rates than many regions in Sub-Saharan Africa, understanding the underlying causes becomes crucial.

Research conducted by Ashwini Deshpande from Ashoka University and Rajesh Ramachandran from Monash University identifies caste as a pivotal factor in child malnutrition. The study reveals that both regions, while home to 44% of the world's under-five population, account for about 70% of globally stunted children, a key indicator of malnutrition. India’s stunting rate stands at 35.7%, slightly above Sub-Saharan Africa’s average of 33.6%.

A child is classified as stunted when their height is significantly less than expected for their age, which reflects nutritional deficiencies during critical growth periods. The “golden period” of a child’s life— from conception to age two—is vital for brain development and lifelong health, underscoring the importance of adequate healthcare and nutrition during this window.

Despite notable progress, the caste system’s legacy continues to dictate disparities in malnutrition. The study analyzed data across socially disadvantaged groups in India, namely adivasis and Dalits, which constitute a significant proportion of children under five. Findings revealed that children from non-stigmatized caste backgrounds had stunting rates at 27%, considerably lower than the averages in Sub-Saharan African nations.

The authors noted that children from privileged castes are approximately 20% less likely to endure stunting compared to their marginalized counterparts, suggesting that access to resources like calorie-rich diets and healthier environments substantially influences nutritional outcomes.

While some economists attribute India’s stunting rates to genetic factors, the research challenges this perspective, demonstrating that social identity plays an essential role in child nutrition. A stark contrast exists in health outcomes for children from marginalized families, reinforcing the notion that poverty, maternal education, and caste significantly exacerbate vulnerability to malnutrition.

Although improvements in health and nutrition interventions have been reported, particularly in four Indian states, the disparities remain evident. The complexity of the debate surrounding height comparisons between Indian and Sub-Saharan African children often overshadows the influence of caste status, which must be acknowledged in efforts to tackle child malnutrition.

By integrating findings from demographic and health surveys, including data from 2019-21 for India and various data points for Sub-Saharan Africa, the researchers highlight the urgent need to re-examine the intersection of social identity and nutrition to effectively address the endemic levels of child stunting in India.