Association of parental characteristics with offspring anthropometric failure, anaemia and mortality in India

This study investigated the association between parental characteristics (sociodemographic, physical, behavioral, and non-communicable diseases) and offspring (0-59 months) anthropometric failure, anemia, and mortality in India. Findings indicated that children of fathers aged 30-39 years had lower odds of anthropometric failure and anemia; however, children of fathers marrying before 18 years faced higher mortality risk. Parental education showed a protective effect against these negative outcomes. Increased maternal height correlated with lower odds of anthropometric failure and under-five mortality. Maternal tobacco use increased under-five mortality, and children with diabetic fathers had higher odds of under-five mortality.

Rajesh Kumar Rai, S. V. Subramanian, Sebastian Vollmer