Women in Northeast India suffer from obesity and metabolic diseases in addition to chronic energy shortages and undernutrition. The dietary habits, cultural customs, and socioeconomic circumstances all contribute to this malnutrition, which calls for immediate action.
Recent studies reveal significant nutritional disparities among women in Northeast India, with 12.7% of tribal women being overweight and 7.92% of non-tribal women being overweight. Undernutrition is a significant issue, especially among tribal populations, who often face economic hardship and limited healthcare access. State-specific data shows 26% of women in Nagaland are overweight or obese, while 14% suffer from undernutrition. Middle-aged women have 35% obesity prevalence, while older women are more prone to dietary deficiencies.
Economic factors significantly influence nutritional outcomes, with higher-income women having higher BMI and low-income women experiencing severe undernutrition. Education also impacts malnutrition rates, with studies showing a 39% prevalence of chronic dietary deficiencies in women.
Traditional dietary practices in Northeast India, despite its rich culinary tradition, lead to micronutrient deficiencies due to food taboos and limited dietary diversity. For instance, pregnant women in the Idumishmi tribes avoid papaya, pineapple, and twin-fruit bananas for fear of miscarriage. High rates of anemia, vitamin A deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency among Khasi women in Meghalaya, Northeast India, raise serious concerns about micronutrient shortages. These conditions are mostly brought on by inadequate nutritional intake and little sun exposure.
Long-term health effects of these deficits include decreased immunity, poor maternal health, and an increased chance of chronic conditions including diabetes and hypertension. Actually, only 31% of women in Meghalaya and Nagaland are aware that they have hypertension, despite the fact that 16% of them have the ailment. This indicates a serious lack of knowledge about health issues.
Urgent interventions are needed to combat malnutrition, including nutritional awareness programs for tribal and rural women, targeted dietary interventions to improve food diversity and address micronutrient deficiencies, public health campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles and obesity prevention strategies, and improved healthcare access for early detection and treatment of malnutrition-related illnesses. Additionally, promoting diets high in iron and vitamins and teaching mothers about complementary feeding should be the main goals of maternal and infant nutrition programs. Malnutrition can be further prevented by growing food security initiatives and providing culturally appropriate nutrition education.
Northeast India’s women face a nutritional crisis due to socioeconomic disparities, traditional food practices, and changing lifestyles. Urbanization and economic growth increase obesity rates, while poverty and lack of awareness fuel undernutrition. Government policies should address malnutrition and obesity simultaneously, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving access to preventive healthcare. Community engagement, health education, and policy reforms are crucial for a healthier future for women in Northeast India, ensuring a more nutritious diet and better healthcare.
Himasri Barman, Research Fellow-II
Population Research Centre, Gauhati University