A Decade's Story of Childhood Malnutrition Inequality in China: Where You Live Does Matter

Abstract

A concentration index methodology to analyze the inequality in childhood malnutrition in China is outlined. Height-for-age z score is used as a measure of childhood malnutrition. Using household survey data from nine Chinese provinces, it is found that per-capita household income, household head's education, urban residence and access to a bus-stop reduced malnutrition. Child's age had a nonlinear effect on the malnutrition status. Income growth and access to public transportation reduced the inequality, while rural-urban gap, provincial differentiation, and unequal distribution of household head's education increased inequality in childhood malnutrition. Gender is found to be not relevant for either malnutrition status or inequality. Investments in infrastructure and welfare programs are recommended to reduce the inequality in childhood malnutrition.

Keywords: Childhood malnutrition, China, Concentration index, Decomposition, Health inequality

JEL Classification: D63, I12, J13