The Changing Face of Malnutrition in India

This article analyzes the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data in order to assess the levels and trends of malnutrition (both underweight as well as overweight) in India and its states. It not only examines the determinants of malnutrition through a binary logistic regression analysis but also addresses the possibility of simultaneous existence of underweight and overweight women in the Indian context. The results show that underweight in India seems to be a problem which cuts across all social and economic categories, whereas, the overweight or obesity seems to be more of a problem of the wealthier, urban women. The article also throws light on the changing face of malnutrition in India including the likely shift from the customary problems of choric energy deficiency to the emerging problems of overweight/obesity in Indian society. The likelihood of the simultaneous existence of underweight and overweight especially in urban India is also observed. Therefore, along with the attempts in alleviating undernutrition, the nutrition policies in India have to focus its attention on the issues of being overweight as well.
Source: Journal of Health Management - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Articles Source Type: research