New Delhi, March 12: 22.9 percent of the women aged 15 to 49 are malnourished in the country. Jharkhand is at the forefront in this case where 31.5% women are malnourished while Bihar is in second place. The percentage of undernourished women here is 30.4 percent.
The Central Government has also acknowledged this serious problem and is talking about taking several measures for its eradication.
In response to a question asked in the Rajya Sabha, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani presented the report of the National Family Health Survey-4.
According to this report, 22.9 percent women in the country are underweight. The problem of malnutrition is being seen more in women aged 15β49 years.
Jharkhand is at the forefront of malnutrition among women. Here 31.5 percent women are malnourished while Bihar is placed at second, here 30.4 percent women are malnourished.
At number three is Dadra and Nagar Haveli where 28.7 percent women are malnourished. At number four is Madhya Pradesh where 28.4 percent of women are malnourished whereas fifth place is shared by Gujarat and Rajasthan where 27-27 percent of women are malnourished.
In a written reply, the Ministry has mentioned plans towards eradicating the problem of malnutrition by 2022 which includes nutrition campaign with Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. Under this, nutritious food is provided to adolescent girls, pregnant women and mothers. Apart from this, emphasis is being laid on creating anaemia free India under the National Health Mission. Women are being offered medicines of iron, folic acid and calcium.
