An increase in anaemic Indian women has been seen since 2016. 52.6 per cent of Indian women were anaemic in 2016. In 2020, however, 53% were found to be anaemic.
Global Nutrition Report 2021
According to the 2021 Global Nutrition Report, India has made little progress on anaemia and childhood wasting (GNR, 2021). The Global Nutrition Report outlines progress toward global nutrition goals each year.
India’s work towards lowering anaemia
While India is on track to reach three targets for maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN), no progress has been made in lowering anaemia among women of reproductive age, according to the report. Anaemia now affects 53.0% of women aged 15 to 49, according to the report.
Lack of Progress
In the report, India is listed as one of the 161 countries that have made no progress or are worsening in terms of lowering anaemia.
It has also made no progress in the area of childhood waste. Wasting refers to children who are underweight for their height. India has made little progress in terms of meeting the wasting objective, with 17.3 per cent of children under the age of five in the country impacted. This is higher than the regional average of 8.9% in Asia.
The report also held that anaemia affects an estimated 32.9 per cent of women of reproductive age in Asia.
