Question

Can an improving disease environment explain the indian calorie consumption decline puzzle?

Answer 1

A diminished burden of infectious disease could lower energy needs by increasing absorption and effective use of calories. We document a robust effect of disease exposure – measured as infant mortality and as poor sanitation – on calorie consumption. Similar effects are found using multiple datasets and empirical strategies. Disease can account for an important fraction (one‐fifth or more) of India's calorie decline.