Double Burden of Malnutrition among women in the reproductive age group in India and Factors influencing Malnutrition

Health and Population

Earlier research suggests that double burden of malnutrition, i.e., co-existence of underweight and overweight among women continues to be an important health issue in developing nations. Nutrition research in India is focused mainly on under-nutrition. This study aims to understand the levels and trends in the double burden of malnutrition among reproductive age women for states of India and to identify the determinants of malnutrition in India. Data from the five rounds of the National Family Health Survey is used. Association of background characteristics of women with nutritional status of women viz., underweight and overweight/obese, is assessed. Multinomial regression is used to determine the factors influencing the prevalence of underweight and overweight. Results clearly establish that the double burden of malnutrition exists among reproductive age women in India in most of the states. Age, education, religion, caste, number of children, wealth status of the household, place of residence and experience of severe form of spousal violence appears to be the predictors of both forms of malnutrition. Immediate action is needed to enhance the knowledge on food intake and physical activity in order to avoid the pandemic of overweight or obesity as it leads to further complications, particularly, non-communicable diseases. Different strategies should be adopted and different policies should be framed to tackle the problem of underweight and overweight separately as both these need to be dealt differently.

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