Double Burden of Malnutrition: Reexamining the Coexistence of Undernutrition and Overweight Among Women in India

• Published in: International journal of health services 2017-01, Vol.47 (1), p.108-133
• Main Authors: Kulkarni, Vani S., Kulkarni, Veena S., Gaiha, Raghav
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; India - epidemiology; Malnutrition - complications; Malnutrition - epidemiology; Malnutrition - prevention & control; Maternal Health Services; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Middle Aged; Mothers; Nutritional Status; Obesity - complications; Socioeconomic Factors; The Paradox of Poverty: Undernutrition and Underweight; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0020-7314; 1541-4469
• DOI: 10.1177/0020731416664666

India has one of the highest rates of underweight burden, with signs of rising obesity. Coexistence of underweight and overweight persons is symptomatic of the "double burden of malnutrition." The present study throws new light on the "double burden of malnutrition" among Indian women in the age group 22–49 years. The analysis is based on a nationally representative household survey, India Human Development Survey. Our results indicate the continuing pattern of socioeconomic segregation of underweight and overweight/obese women, with a large concentration of underweight women among the low socioeconomic group and of overweight/obese women among the high socioeconomic group. Further, relative food prices of food items like cereals and vegetables are significantly associated with the risk of being underweight and overweight/obese. Additionally, we find notable rural/urban differences. The relationship between socioeconomic factors and the probability of being underweight and overweight/obese is stronger in urban than in rural areas. Given that the health implications of being underweight and overweight/obese are equally grim, provision of healthy food items at affordable prices and implementation of programs for preventive and curative care of plausible illnesses related to underweight and overweight/obese are imperative.