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Multiple Risk Factors Contribute to Childhood Stunting in Karnataka, India


Affiliations
1 Tata Cornell Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
2 Department of Biology and Society, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
3 Centre for Human Genetics, Electronics City Phase 1, Electronic City, Bengaluru 560 100, India
4 Tata Cornell Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA, India
 

Childhood stunting remains a prominent metric in the health and development of modern India. In Karnataka, India, districts vary substantially in stunting prevalence. Here we take a close look at the nature of childhood stunting in the state: its epidemiology, gene¬tics, biology, nutritional basis, environmental contribution, policy and field-based understanding. We explore how these factors interact with one another, and suggest ways to target modifiable risk factors for stunting (e.g. nutrition, exposure to infectious diseases, sanitation), which may influence the impact of non-modifiable risk factors (e.g. congenital factors, climate). We suggest that programmes designed to reduce stunting prevalence should accommodate these complex interactions, which could translate to more substantial impact on child health outcomes

Keywords

Childhood Stunting, Environment, Genetics, Public Health, Risk Factors.
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  • Multiple Risk Factors Contribute to Childhood Stunting in Karnataka, India

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Authors

Srilakshmi M. Raj
Tata Cornell Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
Ruwanthi Ekanayake
Department of Biology and Society, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
Meenakshi Bhat
Centre for Human Genetics, Electronics City Phase 1, Electronic City, Bengaluru 560 100, India
Jayarama Kadandale
Centre for Human Genetics, Electronics City Phase 1, Electronic City, Bengaluru 560 100, India
Prabhu L. Pingali
Tata Cornell Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA, India

Abstract


Childhood stunting remains a prominent metric in the health and development of modern India. In Karnataka, India, districts vary substantially in stunting prevalence. Here we take a close look at the nature of childhood stunting in the state: its epidemiology, gene¬tics, biology, nutritional basis, environmental contribution, policy and field-based understanding. We explore how these factors interact with one another, and suggest ways to target modifiable risk factors for stunting (e.g. nutrition, exposure to infectious diseases, sanitation), which may influence the impact of non-modifiable risk factors (e.g. congenital factors, climate). We suggest that programmes designed to reduce stunting prevalence should accommodate these complex interactions, which could translate to more substantial impact on child health outcomes

Keywords


Childhood Stunting, Environment, Genetics, Public Health, Risk Factors.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv121%2Fi3%2F360-364