Nutritional challenges in coming decades in India
Two recent trends in India may force nutritionist to think differently. According to data from the recent census, for the first time, urban population has far outnumbered the rural numbers and, secondly, women constitute a larger chunk of the population in cities and towns than has ever been recorded in Indian history.
The 2001 census figures point out that for the first time since 1921, urban India has added more population in a decade than rural India did. Gandhiji's statement that India lives in her village may now have to undergo a rethink just as nutritionists may have to rethink strategies to tackle nutrition deficiencies in sprawling urban areas.
India's rural population today stands at 833.1 million. This means in a decade, there has been a phenomenal increase of 90.6 million. There are three possible causes: migration, natural increase and inclusion of new areas as urban.
Possible causes and theories apart, what India will soon be facing is a strange paradox of urban over-nutrition leading to obesity and maladies related to obesity on the one hand and a massive burden of urban malnutrition in new urban sprawls. Another change envisaged would be a shift in diet pattern as rural population migrate to cities, leading to lifestyle maladies like early onset of diabetes, cardio-vascular problems and obesity.
The second conundrum it that women far outstrip the men population in cities and towns --- again a record in history in India. Recent data from the 2011 census shows that the population of urban women grew at a whopping 34 per cent between 2001 and 2011. The sex ratio for urban areas has increased from 900 women per 1,000 men in 2001 to 926 in 2011, the highest decadal increase since Independence. In rural areas, the sex ratio increased nominally from 946 to 947.
This is going to be the next challenge to nutritionists as they will have to address issues concerning woman’s health and nutrition. Since in Indian scenario women are care-givers, the challenge will all the more be enormous. But, at the same time, there is an opportunity looming large as nutrition issues can be better addressed through these care-givers.
The 2001 census figures point out that for the first time since 1921, urban India has added more population in a decade than rural India did. Gandhiji's statement that India lives in her village may now have to undergo a rethink just as nutritionists may have to rethink strategies to tackle nutrition deficiencies in sprawling urban areas.
India's rural population today stands at 833.1 million. This means in a decade, there has been a phenomenal increase of 90.6 million. There are three possible causes: migration, natural increase and inclusion of new areas as urban.
Possible causes and theories apart, what India will soon be facing is a strange paradox of urban over-nutrition leading to obesity and maladies related to obesity on the one hand and a massive burden of urban malnutrition in new urban sprawls. Another change envisaged would be a shift in diet pattern as rural population migrate to cities, leading to lifestyle maladies like early onset of diabetes, cardio-vascular problems and obesity.
The second conundrum it that women far outstrip the men population in cities and towns --- again a record in history in India. Recent data from the 2011 census shows that the population of urban women grew at a whopping 34 per cent between 2001 and 2011. The sex ratio for urban areas has increased from 900 women per 1,000 men in 2001 to 926 in 2011, the highest decadal increase since Independence. In rural areas, the sex ratio increased nominally from 946 to 947.
This is going to be the next challenge to nutritionists as they will have to address issues concerning woman’s health and nutrition. Since in Indian scenario women are care-givers, the challenge will all the more be enormous. But, at the same time, there is an opportunity looming large as nutrition issues can be better addressed through these care-givers.
Comments
Post a Comment