Malnutrition Among Women in India

Malnutrition, in simple terms, occurs when a person is not given adequate food in the right proportions and with the necessary nutrients. It can lead to stunted growth and reduced mental development during a person’s growing years. Malnutrition is more prevalent in developing countries and is a serious cause of concern. Malnutrition among women is of extreme importance for many reasons.

To begin with, a malnourished woman in most cases also implies a malnourished child. A pregnant malnourished woman can give birth to underweight babies. In turn, the health of babies is largely affected and leads to stunted growth, low immunity and a higher risk of diseases for the entire period of their lives.

For women, malnutrition can significantly increase chances of childbirth. It reduces their immunity and they become more susceptible to a wide range of diseases. Moreover, when a mother is malnourished herself, chances of her children being malnourished are also high.

In a paper titled ‘Factsheet on Women’s Malnutrition in India’, the researchers claimed that “India has not only a large number of malnourished women, it also has one of the highest proportions of malnourished women in the developing countries” (Jose & Navaneetham, 2008). 

Many factors contribute to malnutrition among women in India. However, a causal relationship between any one factor and malnutrition cannot be formed. Poverty, illiteracy and lack of autonomy for women in the household have been blamed. Despite India’s incredible economic performance in the last decade, malnutrition among women still persists. Svedberg (2008) found that 54% of India’s population is still employed in the rural, agricultural economy. This implies that despite the country’s impressive economic growth, social growth has staggered. The economic growth that India has been experiencing is not trickle-down and its effects are not great enough.

Tackling the problem of malnutrition among women in India can help in many ways. Firstly, with women’s greater knowledge of malnutrition and its ill effects, she can help prevent it occurring to her children. She can feed them well and provide them with their necessary nutrients. These children will in turn live longer and healthier. Moreover malnutrition among women implies fatigue and overall lower productivity for women. By tackling the present problem of malnutrition among women in India, we can add to the country’s workforce.

This may seem like a far-fledged idea and claim to make. Nevertheless considering that 54% of the population is a part of India’s agricultural economy, women can contribute on the fields and earn extra money while also contributing at home by helping educate her children and the community about malnutrition. However to achieve this kind of socioeconomic development women must also have control over resources and must be given a bigger say in her own household.

Bibliography

Jose, S., & Navaneetham, K. (2008). A Factsheet on Women's Malnutrition in India. Economic and Political Weekly , 61-67.

Svedberg, P. (2008, November 25). ISID Conference: Why malnutrition in shining India persists*. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from ISID:

http://www.isid.ac.in/~pu/conference/dec_08_conf/Papers/PeterSvedberg.pdf