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It is a well-recognised fact that child nutritional status is often associated with socioeconomic factors (SEFsj. However, little is known about 'how and when'SEFs influence child growth in different stages ofchild growth. The study examines the linear association between SEFs at birth with their nutritional outcomes at different growth stages. It also estimates the probability of being malnourished. Further, the study explores the association with longitudinal growth in early-childhood (one-five yearsj and mid-childhood (five-eight years). The study has used data from the three rounds of the Young Lives Study conducted in Andhra Pradesh in 2002, 2006-2007, and 2009. Multiple linear/ non-linear regression model has been used. The study finds that SC and ST ethnic groups are the most vulnerable. The probability of being malnourished is higher, and longitudinal growth is lower for these, than the others groups. Maternal education and Wealth Index are the most important variables determining child nutritional status. Other SEFs such as toilet, clean drinking water, safe cooking fuel and electricity positively influence child nutritional status. All these associations are more influential for children of higher age groups. Similar is the case with longitudinal growth too. SEFs positively impact skeletal tissue growth and soft tissue growth, and the impact intensity of SEFs on a child's longitudinal growth rises with children's age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid reconnaissance soil survey of Markapur mandal of Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh was carried out in 2009-10 using geo-referred false colour composite image (IRS-P6, LISS-III) and Survey of India (SOI) topo-maps (1:50,000 scale) set. The soils of hill side slope and undulating pediments developed over quartzite, sandstone and shale complex was shallow to moderately deep, brown (7.5 YR 4/4) to dark brown (7.5 YR 3/4) in colour, well drained with poor fertility. These soils are under forest, open scrub and rainfed farming in patches. The soils of pediplains and stream bank from shale was yellowish red (5 YR 4/6) to dark reddish brown (5 YR 3/3), deep to very deep low fertility and cultivated (rainfed) in pediplains but waste land in stream bank. The soils of undulating pediments and hill side slope were grouped under land capability class IV and VII whereas soils of pediplains and stream bank were placed under land capability class II and III respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]