Objective: This study specifically examines the emerging nutrition transition among adult women living in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Method: The population for the study comprises of 96548 adult women in their reproductive age groups (age 15-59 years) in state of Uttar Pradesh. The representative data for the state was obtained from the 4th round of National Family Health Survey conducted during 2015-’16. Women’s nutritional status was defined on the basis of anthropometric measure of Body Mass Index. Multinomial Logistic Regression analyses have been applied to the representative data provided by the NFHS-4 to identify socioeconomic, regional and demographic determinants of women’s nutritional status.
Findings: Problems of over and under nutrition coexist in the state. Findings from the Logistic Regression model identify the standard of living as more important factor influencing the nutritional status of the women than their location of residence.
Application: Nutrition research in the context of Uttar Pradesh has been guided by the concern about high prevailing rates of under nutrition, especially among women and children. But recent data reflect upon significant increase in overweight and obesity among adult women population along with coexistence of high rates of under nutrition. The state need to adopt conscious policy framework to ensure the food and nutritional security of the population.