’Stuffed and Starved’: Unraveling the Dual Burden of Childhood Obesity and Undernutrition in India

Sangeeta Parashar, Montclair State University

Childhood obesity has dramatically increased during the past two decades and is a major health problem in both developed and developing countries. A key feature of nutrition and epidemiological transition in India, a population giant, is the existence of two extremes: obesity and undernutrition, also called the “dual burden” of malnutrition, which can be found at both the population and household level. Using data from the 2005 India Human Development Survey (IDHS) and stepwise models, this study examines trends in and determinants of the “dual burden” across various parts of India and their variation by gender, income, and region. I conclude the paper by discussing data limitations, relevant policy issues, and future research.