‘35% women, 36% men too thin, overweight or
obese'
Bhat Imran
Srinagar, Oct 06 (KNO): Children's nutritional status in
Jammu and Kashmir has worsened in the last four
years, a national survey has revealed, underlining that
continuing high levels of under-nutrition are “a major
problem” in the Union Territory.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) released
by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has
said that the 27 percent of children who are stunted has
not changed in the four years between NFHS-4 and
NFHS-5.
“The percentage of children who are underweight
increased from 12 percent to 19 percent, and in the
same period, wasting increased slightly from 17 percent
to 21 percent,” reveals the survey.
The Survey which is considered to be a baseline data
for health research studies in the country further says
difference in the levels of malnutrition in J&K are more
pronounced for several background characteristics and
that malnutrition is somewhat higher for male children
than female children on all the three nutritional status
measures.
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or
imbalances in the person's intake of energy and/or
nutrients including under-nutrition and overweight, and
obesity.
In case of Adults' nutritional status, more than two-fifths
that include 35 percent of women and 36 percent of men
are either too thin or overweight or obese.
“Among women aged 15-49, the proportion of
overweight or obese is 29 percent, which is the same as
NFHS-4,” the NFHS-5 reveals, adding that more men
are overweight or obese (32%) than thin (4%) similar to
pattern observed in the last survey.
“Five percent of women in Jammu and Kashmir are too
thin. Over three-fifths of women and men are at a
healthy weight for their height,” the Survey reveals.
It also reveals that under-nutrition is widespread in the
younger age groups (especially age 15-19), those in
rural areas, and women of scheduled tribes.
“Overweight and obesity are more prevalent in older
adults than those in urban areas, and well-educated
men,” the Survey says—(KNO)
