Improved estimates of child malnutrition trends in Bangladesh using remote-sensed data

Sumonkanti Das (), Syed Abul Basher (), Bernard Baffour (), Penny Godwin (), Alice Richardson () and Salim Rashid ()
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Sumonkanti Das: Australian National University
Syed Abul Basher: East West University
Bernard Baffour: Australian National University
Penny Godwin: Australian National University
Alice Richardson: Australian National University
Salim Rashid: East West University

Journal of Population Economics, 2024, vol. 37, issue 4, No 2, 37 pages

Abstract: Abstract This study investigates the trends in chronic malnutrition (stunting) among young children across Bangladesh’s 64 districts and 544 sub-districts from 2000 to 2018. We utilized remote-sensed data–nighttime light intensity to indicate urbanization, and environmental factors like precipitation and vegetation levels–to examine patterns of stunting. Our primary data source was the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, conducted six times within the study period. Using Bayesian multilevel time-series models, we integrated cross-sectional, temporal, and spatial data to estimate stunting rates for years not covered by the direct survey information. This approach, enhanced by remote-sensed data, allowed for greater prediction accuracy by incorporating information from neighboring areas. Our findings show a significant reduction in national stunting rates, from nearly 50% in 2000 to about 30% in 2018. Despite this overall progress, some districts have consistently high levels of stunting, while others show fluctuating levels. Our model gives more precise sub-district estimates than previous methods, which were limited by data gaps. The study highlights Bangladesh’s advancements in reducing child stunting, highlighting the value of integrating remote-sensed data for more precise and credible analysis.

Keywords: Child malnutrition; Stunting; Small area estimation; Nighttime light; Climatic indices; Bayesian model; Sustainable development goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C11 I12 R12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s00148-024-01043-6

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