Is chronic energy deficiency a health problem among women in EAG states?

Malnutrition not only blights the lives of individuals and families, but also acts as a major barrier to social and economic progress In India, particularly in the Empowered Action Group (EAG) States. Under this backdrop, this study aims to assess the degree of chronic energy deficiency and its determinants. Data drawn from the National Family Health Survey-III, conducted 2005-06, on body mass index of 26,728 currently married women, ages 15-49 years. Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh reported significantly higher profession of chronic energy deficiency than the rest of the EAG states (around 40percent each). Socio-economic and demographic bi-variate analysis shows that low-BMI (<18.50) women are found in higher proportion among families with poorest wealth index (50.2percent), ST women (49.2percent), women working in agricultural sector (42.5percent), rural areas (40.8percent), illiterate groups (41.percent), and women who ate fruits, and milk occasionally or never (around 40percent each). In addition, the data discloses state differentials Jharkhand show the highest incidence rate of underweight (39.7 percent) and the Uttaranchal recorded the lowest incidence of CED (25.5 percent). The burden of chronic energy deficiency indicates that there is a need for special public health programs that are able to address chronic energy deficiency.