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

This study used a wide range of information on parental sociodemographic, physical and behavioural characteristics as well as on the presence of non-communicable diseases among parents and examined the association of these attributes with anthropometric failure, anaemia and mortality of their children aged 0-59 months. Findings revealed that children of fathers aged 30-39 years were less likely to experience anthropometric failure and anaemia; however, survival of children of fathers below 18 years at marriage could be threatened. Parental education had protective association with children's anthropometric failure, anaemia and under-five mortality. With increasing maternal height, children had lower odds of anthropometric failure and under-five mortality. Tobacco use by mothers was associated with increase in under-five mortality, and children with diabetic fathers had higher odds of under-five mortality.

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