Trends in breastfeeding indicators across Indian states and Union Territories (1993–2021): Estimating progress towards the 2030 Global Nutrition Target
Issued Date
2026-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00917435
eISSN
10960260
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105040766731
Pubmed ID
42134478
Journal Title
Preventive Medicine
Volume
209
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Preventive Medicine Vol.209 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Rai R.K., De Neve J.W., Bromage S., Kim R., Subramanian S.V. Trends in breastfeeding indicators across Indian states and Union Territories (1993–2021): Estimating progress towards the 2030 Global Nutrition Target. Preventive Medicine Vol.209 (2026). doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2026.108600 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/117194
Title
Trends in breastfeeding indicators across Indian states and Union Territories (1993–2021): Estimating progress towards the 2030 Global Nutrition Target
Author(s)
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Objective: Using five waves of National Family Health Survey data (1993–2021), we analyzed trends in six breastfeeding indicators across 36 Indian states and Union Territories (UTs): ever breastfed (EvBF), early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), exclusive breastfeeding for the first two days, exclusive breastfeeding for six months (EBF), mixed milk feeding (MixMF), and continued breastfeeding (CBF). Methods: We calculated prevalence and Standardized Annualized Change for each indicator. Additionally, we estimated the Required Annualized Change (RAC) to attain the 60% EBF Global Nutrition Target (GNT). Results: Between 1993 and 2021, the prevalence of EvBF and CBF remained consistently high (>95% and > 75%, respectively); meanwhile, EIBF increased from 9.6% to 41.2%, and EBF rose from 43.5% to 63.9%. MixMF increased by nine percentage points, reflecting a deteriorating trend. Positive annualized changes were observed for EIBF (1.05 percentage points) and EBF (0.68 percentage points). RAC estimates revealed that 23 states/UTs have already ‘achieved’ the 2030 EBF target and are expected to sustain it, while five others remain ‘on-target’. Six states/UTs are projected to remain ‘off-target’. Conclusions: Heterogeneity in progress across breastfeeding indicators among states/UTs warrants localized interventions. Prioritizing EIBF and reducing MixMF could accelerate EBF gains in ‘off-target’ states/UTs to meet 2030 targets.