Dual Nutrition Burden in India

What is the issue?

India is witnessing the emerging menace of over-nutrition along with the existing concern of high under-nutrition.

How is under-nutrition in India?

Global Nutrition Report ranks India low in stunting among children aged less than five and in under-5 wasting.
Micronutrient deficiency - The burden of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, called ‘hidden hunger’, is also considerable.
This is because a vast majority of Indians eat cereal-based food, mainly wheat and rice.
There is an insufficient intake of food such as milk, pulses, and fruits and vegetables, which are rich sources of micronutrients.
Effects - Women and children are the most vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies and consequently have adverse health affects.
Deficiency of iron in women causes reduced physical work capacity, fatigue, etc.
Notably it could also lead to depression and post-partum maternal haemorrhage.
In the case of children, the impact is felt with impairment in growth and cognitive development.
Response - In the last few decades, India has made efforts at improving the food and nutrition security of its population.
This was done with strides in technology, irrigation practices, extension services, and progressive agricultural policies.
Also, in the 1990s, deficiencies of micronutrients such as zinc, folic acid, magnesium, selenium and vitamin D received more attention.
However, despite an overall decrease in cases, the level of under-nutrition still remains high in comparison with world nations.

What is the emerging concern?

The recent findings of the National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) bring out the emerging scenario of over-nutrition in India.
With Body Mass Index (BMI) as the measure, the survey identifies-

around 15% of urban women to be underweight and around 30% of to be overweight or obese
around 15% of urban men in the underweight category and a 26% in the overweight and obese category

What has led to this?

Lifestyle and dietary patterns have undergone dramatic changes, especially among urban sections, in the recent decades.
This has contributed to reduction in physical activity and an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
Over-nutrition is traced to be the cause for these diseases due to the imbalance between intake and activity.
Resultantly, over-nutrition is emerging as a concern among the urban affluent segments.

What lies ahead?

India is evidently witnessing a dual nutrition burden.
The burden of under-nutrition among the poorer sections and that of over-nutrition among the urban well-to-do sections.
Promotion of appropriate lifestyles and dietary intakes for the prevention and management of over-nutrition and obesity is necessary.
On the other hand, to ensure food and nutrition security, there is a growing need for a multisectoral approach.
The policies and programmes of various ministries should be converged for better results in agricultural practices as well as in food styles.

Source: The Hindu