Caste-Based Inequality in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in India

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Health Economics

Background:

• Fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is crucial for diet-related health outcomes.
• Caste-based socioeconomic inequality in India significantly impacts F&V consumption patterns.
• Disadvantaged lower castes exhibit lower F&V intake compared to other castes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the reasons behind the F&V consumption gap between upper and lower castes in India.
• To determine if the gap is due to unequal distribution of consumption drivers (income, education) or behavioral differences/discrimination.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Oaxaca-Blinder regression decomposition technique.
• Analyzed data from the 68th round (2011-2012) of the National Sample Survey Organization household survey.
• Compared F&V consumption between upper and lower castes.

Main Results:

• Differences in the distribution of F&V consumption drivers fully explain the 50 grams/person/day gap.
• Income differentials across castes are a primary driver of the observed F&V consumption gap.
• No significant role for behavioral differences or discrimination was found.

Conclusions:

• Policies aimed at equalizing income across castes, such as affirmative action in education and employment, are expected to reduce the F&V consumption gap.
• Medium-term interventions like targeted cash transfers to lower castes can effectively boost F&V intake.
• Closing the F&V consumption gap can lead to significant public health benefits.