Paper short abstract:

The study explored under nutrition through the association between body mass index (BMI) and socio-economic status among adult Indian men.The data indicate that in India, 28.6 % adult men are suffering from under nutrition. Among the six zones considered for our analysis, north-east zone and the central zone are seen to be the least and the highest suffered zones respectively.

Paper long abstract:

The study explored under nutrition through the association between body mass index (BMI) and socio-economic status among adult Indian men. For this study, the relevant data have been taken from third round of National Family Health Survey of males of age 15-54 years. The sample size consists of 69,204 adult men. Data on socio-economic background are taken to see the differential effect of these variables on under nutrition.

The data indicate that in India, 28.6 % adult men are suffering from under nutrition. Among the six zones considered for our analysis, north-east zone and the central zone are seen to be the least and the highest suffered zones respectively. Analysis also shows that some states are possessing better health than the other states. There is no marked gender difference in India regarding occurrence of under nutrition. The under nutrition markedly declined from 25 and onwards ages. It is also seen that BMI is more among males of urban areas, Christians, with higher education, professional or service holders and possession of wealth. Impact of mass media is also very much effective.