Achieving sustainable nutrition security in women: A road map

After over 60 years of independence, India has the dubious distinction of having one of the highest prevalence (over 50%) of under nutrition (as judged by stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies like anemia, vitamin A deficiency and others), in the world. Efforts made since independence have made only marginal impact. Being a country in developmental transition, lifestyle and environment related diseases like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cancers are also increasing. Individuals born with low birth weight due to intrauterine malnutrition tend to be more susceptible to the above mentioned adult-onset degenerative diseases. Malnutrition is seriously and adversely impacting the country's development, and health care expenditure. Time trends suggest that over the years despite reduction in food and nutrient intake, nutrition status has shown some improvement, perhaps because of better access to health care and reduced physical activity. However, there is no reduction in the prevalence or severity of anemia. Thus malnutrition has a complex etiology and its prevention requires Awareness, and Access to all the above at Affordable cost. Adequate nutrition, a fundamental cornerstone of any individual's health, is especially critical for women because inadequate nutrition wreaks havoc not only on women's own health but also on the health of their children. Therefore this paper focuses on causes and effects of malnutrition in women and implications/intervention for the improvement for such malnutrition.