IMPACT OF CHILD HEALTH INTERVENTION PROGRAM: EVIDENCE FROM INDIA

This article evaluates the impact of child health and nutrition program, ICDS on the nutritional status of children in the age group 0-60 months. A reduced form demand approach has been applied using National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) data to estimate program effects using different models and controlling for background characteristics. Comparison is made between children living in ICDS areas with those who live in non-ICDS area. Results indicate that children living in ICDS areas have better nutritional status than their counterparts in non-ICDS areas. Results indicating better health of boys than girls indicating gender differentials. Longer exposure to the program indicates better results. Results also show substitutability between program and mother's higher education and wealthier families.