Publication

This paper examines sex differentials in indicators of childhood feeding, health care, and nutritional status of children in India under the age of 3. It employs data from the National Family Health Surveys in 1992−93 and 1998−99. The analysis shows inconclusive evidence of a female disadvantage and suggests that discrimination against girls is limited to children of certain birth orders or relates to sex compositions of older siblings. It also shows that in instances such as exclusive breast feeding, discrimination can be nutritionally beneficial for girls.