Comparison of underweight, overweight and obesity prevalence among Indian women in different national health surveys

Abstract

BackgroundEarlier studies are mostly based on the first three National Family Health Surveys (NFHSs) for estimating and comparing prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among Indian women and lack the information on latest survey. ObjectivesThe objective of this work was to study and compare the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among Indian women using the updated data from different NFHSs. Materials and methodsData collected under three surveys – NFHS-2, NFHS-3 and NFHS-4 – from different states of India were arranged according to geographical regions. Data on age, marital status, area of urban or rural, education, religion and wealth index were also collected. Body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5 kg/m2 was labelled as ‘underweight’, 25–30 kg/m2 ‘overweight’ and greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 ‘obese’. ResultsOverall prevalence of underweight in Indian women reduced to 22.9%, while overweight (15.5%) and obese (5.1%) increased over different survey years. There was a decline in prevalence of underweight (−17.1%) and increase in prevalence of overweight (7.3%) and obese (2.3%) among illiterate. The urban areas showed comparatively higher burden of obesity (9.1%) than the rural areas (3.1%), but there was not much change (4.8–6%) over years. Prevalence of underweight remained higher in rural areas (26.7%) although there was apparent decline (13.8%). The states/union territories (UTs) belonging to Central (25.3%–28.3%) and Eastern regions (21.3%–31.5%) of India showed higher prevalence of underweight. ConclusionIndian women are recovering from throes of underweight, but a rising trend in overweight and obesity is a great concern.