The fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on November 24, has revealed st...
The fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on November 24, has revealed startling reversals in nutrition and health indicators.
The data shows an increase in severe wasting in children under five – from 7.5% in 2015-’16, when the previous round of the survey was conducted, to 7.7% in 2019-’21. Wasting, or low weight compared to height, could be caused by prolonged weight loss and poor nutrition. Stunting, or children being shorter than normal for their age, improved slightly – from 38.4% in the previous survey to 35.5% now.
Anaemia, another indicator of poor nutrition levels, has also risen among men and women aged 15-49 years. Over one in two women, or 57% of those surveyed, and one in four men were found anaemic. Anaemia, or low haemoglobin in blood, is caused by iron deficiency. It can cause fatigue and complications during pregnancy and reduces fitness levels overall.
Obesity has also risen among adults. The data shows 22.9% of the men and 24% of the women surveyed were obese, up from 18.9% and 20.6%, respectively, in 2015-’16. Obesity hampers lung function and lowers immunity, making it a risk factor for a range of...
