Maternal health and child malnutrition: A district-level study in Assam, North Eastern India (A secondary data-based research review)

This paper examines maternal health and child malnutrition in Assam using secondary data from NFHS 2 to NFHS-5, together with evidence from the Global Burden of Disease Study, ISEC working papers, government sources and relevant research literature. The analysis focuses on maternal BMI, anaemia and dietary diversity and considers their relationship with stunting, wasting and underweight among children below five years. The paper also reviews district-level patterns reported in NFHS-based spatial studies. The evidence points to persistent high-burden districts, including Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Karimganj and Darrang. Poverty, food insecurity, maternal education, feeding practices, recurrent floods and gaps in programme implementation are discussed as factors associated with poor nutritional outcomes. The paper concludes with policy measures aimed at improving maternal and child nutrition at the district and community levels.