Nutrition of Women and Girls in India: A Data-Driven Overview

Introduction

Nutrition is crucial for the health and development of women and girls. In India, despite progress in health metrics, nutrition remains a significant challenge. This overview examines the factors affecting nutritional status and the latest data on these challenges.

Prevalence of Underweight and Anemia

Underweight: According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21, approximately 22.9% of women aged 15-49 years are underweight (BMI < 18.5). This marks a slight improvement from 23.9% in NFHS-4 (2015-16).

Anemia: The same survey reports that 59.2% of women in this age group are anemic. Although there has been a marginal decrease from 62.6% in NFHS-4, anemia remains a significant concern.

Child Nutrition

Stunting and Wasting: Among children under five years, stunting (low height for age) affects 35.5%, and wasting (low weight for height) affects 19.3%. While these figures show improvements from previous surveys, they still indicate critical nutritional deficiencies.

Anemia in Children: Around 67.1% of children aged 6-59 months are anemic, with notable regional disparities.

Dietary Diversity and Micronutrient Intake

Dietary Diversity: Data from NFHS-5 indicates that 60% of women consume a diverse diet. However, the intake of essential micronutrients like iron, calcium, and vitamins is often inadequate.

Micronutrient Deficiencies: Iron deficiency is widespread, with 56.5% of women having low serum iron levels. Vitamin D deficiency is also a growing concern, particularly in urban areas with limited sun exposure.

Income Inequality

Women from lower-income households and rural areas are more likely to experience malnutrition. NFHS-5 data shows that underweight and anemia are more prevalent among women from poorer economic backgrounds.

Conclusion

Nutrition remains a critical issue for women and girls in India. Continued efforts from both government and non-governmental sectors are essential to achieve better nutritional outcomes and ensure the well-being of India's female population. Strengthening data collection and monitoring systems will aid in tailoring interventions more effectively. Integrating nutrition programs with broader health services can improve outcomes and ensure comprehensive care.