The Double Burden of Malnutrition in Bangalore, India

Abstract

Double burden of malnutrition (DBM) i.e. coexistence of under and over nutrition, is an emerging issue in most of the low and middle-income countries of the world. Using field survey data conducted in and around the city of Bangalore, India in 2018, we examine the patterns of DBM among women, young children (0-6 years), older children (7-18 years) and intrahousehold DBM between mother and children. A unique aspect of the survey is that it is conducted in an area undergoing rapid urbanization, which is one of the factors responsible for DBM and can inform on the future of DBM in India. Compared to undernutrition, the prevalence of over-nutrition is much higher in our study area. We find that, like other developing countries, the socio-economic distance in prevalence of under and over nutrition among women has decreased over time. Overnutrition among women is no longer an urban phenomenon. Similar trends were observed for older children. For the younger children, on the other hand, the socio-economic and locational differences persist, suggesting that this age group is not witnessing nutritional transition yet. Intrahousehold burden of DBM has also increased over time and the risk increases with maternal education. Though under and over nutrition are opposite in nature, both have several common drivers, suggesting a possibility of integrated approach to tackle DBM. Several existing programmes in India such as ICDS, PDS, school meal program provide excellent infrastructure to roll out policies and interventions, especially diet-based programmes, aimed at both under and over nutrition.