Abstract
Undernutrition among children continues to be a serious issue. The study examines the prevalence of the gender gap in the infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in India based on recent National Family and Health Survey Data, 2015 (NFHS-4). A binary logistic regression model has been used to determine the factors responsible for achieving exclusive breastfeeding, minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency of the index child, that is, youngest child in the households. A separate regression model was run for both boys and girls. Girls faced discrimination not only in terms of exclusive breastfeeding but also in terms of receiving the required number of complementary meals. Logistic regression results indicate that the birth order of the children and the sex composition of the siblings are the important determinants of IYCF practices. Girls are more deprived in terms of receiving exclusive breastfeeding and other age-appropriate protein-rich food items when born in a household with more than two older daughters. Media exposure, mother’s autonomy and access to health and nutrition-related education are prominent factors in determining IYCF practices. The results suggest that there is a need to improve gender sensitisation in terms of feeding practices within the households.
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