Ekanayake, Ruwanthi2021-05-242021-05-242020-05-04https://hdl.handle.net/1813/103725Despite large economic and developmental strides, India continues to grapple with the issue of stunting, which characterizes malnutrition and failure to thrive among children in early childhood. The complex nature of stunting as well as India’s state and district-level diversity mean that any attempt to address stunting must employ a multifaceted approach. A comprehensive literature review and focused regression analysis reveals the significance of economic and agricultural failures and long-held cultural practices in impacting stunting. These factors are often interrelated and have compounding effects. Current national nutrition programs serve mostly as universalized, “one-size-fits-all” measures that don’t always address the core causes related to stunting. India’s stunting rates have reduced in the past few years, but continued progress will require decentralization of interventions and specific, targeted measures that design solutions with communities’ unique needs in mind and incorporate measures beyond just food distribution.en-USAttribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalstuntingindiachildhooddissertation or thesis