Poor nutrition hits health of women, kids in UP: PGI study

WAY FORWARD State government to use study data to address problem of nutritional deficiency by focussing on primary areas of concern

LUCKNOW: A study conducted by the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) has sounded a warning bell for state officials and policy makers regarding the health of women and children in Uttar Pradesh.

According to the study, poor nutrition among women and kids is the main reason why people from UP are shorter than their counterparts in other states.

The study said that if the nutritional needs of the population were not addressed, it would compromise the health and growth of the people.

SGPGIMS collaborated with the Global Alliance for Future Nutrition and studied 1,238 women (aged 18 to 49 years) and 1,238 children (aged 4 to 7 years) over a period of two years.

The findings revealed that 36.4% women and 55.8% children in UP suffered from anaemia, 50.3 % women were iron deficient, 28.7% women lacked vitamins, 50.7% women were zinc deficient, 40.8% women were vitamin A deficient and suffered with weak eyesight, 17.2% women lacked vitamin B12, 34% women were underweight and 14.8% were overweight.

The study also said that 20.3% UP kids suffered from slow growth.

This data will now be used by the state government to address the issue of poor nutrition among women and children.

While releasing the study at a programme at the telemedicine auditorium of SGPGIMS on Wednesday, health minister Siddharth Nath Singh said, “Now, there is an authentic study and the state will work according to it. So far, there was no study to work with but now, with PGI’s help, the government can focus on key areas to tackle nutritional deficiency.”

“The state will place mobile medical vans at definite places in remote areas. These vans will coordinate with Asha health workers, who will bring patients for free treatment by government doctors,” he added.

The health minister said that the UP government was serious about “providing health for all”.

“For this, the state has appointed 2,000 allopathic and 2,000 Ayush doctors,” he said.

Also present was minister for women and child development, Rita Bahuguna Joshi.

“Women work 24x7 for their families, without taking any leave. They usually end up neglecting their own health. Now, we have the PGI study highlighting their plight,” she said, adding, “We cannot compromise on the nutrition and growth of our kids. They must be given supplements to meet their growth demands. The state will prepare a plan to promote supplements among children, and to meet vitamin and iron deficiency among women.”

Head of department of molecular medicine, Padma Shri Professor MM Godbole, also attended the event.

Professor Lunet of Global Alliance for Future Nutrition, who conducted the study, said, “If this study forms the basis to improve the condition of women and children in the state, we will be very satisfied.”