Obesity, Affluence and Urbanisation in India

Raghav Gaiha, Raghbendra Jha and Vani S. Kulkarni

ASARC Working Papers from The Australian National University, Australia South Asia Research Centre

Abstract: Based on data collected from a representative national sample, India Human Development Survey 2005, this paper investigates the links between obesity among children and among adults with a number of socio economic characteristics as well as household and location specific variables. Both child and adult obesity are far from negligible, which is a matter of concern, given the links between obesity and some diseases. There are strong links between socio-economic indicators and risk of obesity. In particular, affluence has a robust link to obesity. Among children, taller children in more affluent households are more prone to obesity. Some demographic characteristics matter too, for example, both child and adult obesity rise with age but at a diminishing rate. Location also influences chances of obesity. Relative food price effects matter too through calorie, protein, fat and other nutrient intakes. A number of policy conclusions are also advanced.

Keywords: obesity; affluence; socio-economic characteristics; gender; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C25 D12 D31 E10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 25
Date: 2010
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cwa, nep-hea and nep-ure
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pas:asarcc:2010-10

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