Trends of nutritional status among rural adults in six states of India: findings from national survey data

Abstract

IntroductionThere is lack of evidence available on understanding of exact trend and distribution of dual burden of nutrition in India. ObjectiveThe study aimed to find out 25years trend of nutritional status among rural adults of six states in India, pooled estimate for India and predict the estimate for future 20years. DesignThe body mass index (BMI) data of both men and women of six states and India for the year 1992–2011 was collected from the publicly available reports of National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) and for 2014–15 was taken from National Family and Health Survey –IV (NFHS-IV). The data for monthly per capita expenditure was extracted from national sample survey (NSS) reports. The 25-year historical BMI prevalence data between 1991–92 and 2014 were tested for linear, quadratic and cubic trends. The analysis was done using STATA. SettingsData for six states of India and pooled estimate of India was collected and analyzed. Main findingsAll states show a decline trend in underweight and increase trend in overweight/obesity. The pooled estimates for India reports though the trend of underweight is declining in both men and women still it is above 20% and after 20years the prevalence will be 10%. The trend test for overweight/obesity was found to be significant at P value<0.05 in all the six states and India in both the sex. ConclusionThe regional variances in prevalence of the nutrition among rural Indians and suggests state specific nutritional policy should be developed for double burden of nutrition.