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A staggering increase in cases of Anemia was identified across all ages in a survey that included nine poorest states of India. Anemia is a condition of iron deficiency in the blood that results in weakness and vulnerability to other diseases. A slight improvement in other indicators of nutrition was observed from a decade ago.

According to the survey, called Clinical, Anthropometric and Biometric (CAB), three fourth of children and infants aged five years or less were anemic and the proportion increased with age. A bulk of adult population and senior citizens were also anemic.

Conducted by the Census office in 2014, the CAB survey included a total of 284 districts in Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Uttarakhand. All these states together comprise approximately half of the population of India. Chronic prevalence of malnutrition and disease in these states were linked to lack of ample healthcare delivery systems besides deep-rooted poverty.

Worsening anemia

Results indicated slightly better nourishment indicators, while the contradiction was worsening anemia. More than 80% of children between age groups of 5 to 9 years are anemic in all states except Chhattisgarh, which showed 79% proportion. Shocking 95% anemic cases was recorded in Uttarakhand.

Similar is the case with adults and senior citizens. Around 80 to 90% of adults between 18 to 59 years of age were anemic in almost all states. Lowest share was of Odisha with 75%, where as highest was of UP with 92%.

According to experts food aid programs including anganwadis and mid-day meals could be contributing to better weight in the children. However, this is not enough to meet the nutritional needs including iron of growing bodies.

Also read: Save your heart with these healthy foods

-Sumana