Information on population, health, and nutrition, among others, in the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-20), depicted some concerning pictures of the health status in Nagaland.
As per the factsheet on key indicators and trends for Nagaland, the fieldwork the state was conducted from July 15 to December 6, 2019, by Research and Development Initiative (RDI) Pvt. Ltd. Information was gathered from 10,112 households, 9,694 women, and 1,456 men.
The data collected and published is a ‘study in contrast,’ on many parameters.
On one hand, the state has made laudable positive gains in terms of immunisation and supplements for infant and maternal care as well as cutting down mortality rate; on the other hand, there were worrying indicators nutritional status, particularity among children.
A case in point the nutritional status related to a child’s physical indicators – there is a problem of plenty, but more importantly, the bigger problem of deficiencies.
For instance, ‘Children under 5 years who are ‘stunted’ (height-for-age) increased from 28.5% in 2015-16 to 32.7% in 2019-20. In the same cohort, those bracketed as ‘wasted’ (weight-for-height) increased from 11% to 19.1% and ‘Underweight’ (weight-for-age) from 16.7% to 26.9%.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), wasting is defined as low weight-for-height usually occurs when a person “has not had food of adequate quality and quantity and/or they have had frequent or prolonged illnesses.” Stunting is the “impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation” and its prevalence in early life - particularly in the first 1000 days from conception until the age of two - has adverse functional consequences on the child, WHO stated.
Both are symptomatic of malnutrition - deficiencies or excesses in nutrient intake, imbalance of essential nutrients or impaired nutrient utilisation.
Conversely, the survey also depicted that the overweight (weight-for-height) among children Under-5 has risen from 3.8% to 4.9. Overall, the total number of children age 6-23 months receiving an adequate diet declined from 18.8% (NFHS-4) to 14.5% (NFHS-5).
Among the adults (15-49 years), however, the nutritional status based on Body Mass Index (BMI) improved between 2015-16 and 2019-20, except for men, who can be considered ‘overweight or obese’ (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2). It increased from to 23.9% from 13.9% in last 4 years.
Another concerning data was the prevalence of anaemia among children. As per NFHS-5, children age 6-59 months who are anaemic nearly doubled from 26.4% to 42.7%. Among the adults, however, there were varying pictures, increasing among men age 15-19 years but a marginal decline among those age 15-49 years. There was a slight increase among women in both the age brackets. Pregnant women age 15-49 years, who are anaemic, however, decreased from 32.7% to 22.2%.
Blood Sugar Level among Adults (age 15 years and above) decreased but Hypertension increased significantly with 22.4% females and 28.7% males respondents showing to be having Elevated blood pressure or taking medicine to control blood pressure.
The increase in those indicators considered to be caused by lifestyles – such as hypertension and obesity, may be indicative of relative affluence; however, the nutritional status among the children, apart from being a stark commentary on socio-economic hierarchy, could be indicative of ineffective policy intervention and implementation. The increase in the prevalence of anaemia also points to that end.
Positive gains, though commendable, must also be measured in terms of the Nagaland’s relative standing at national level as well as with other States/UTS.
Nevertheless, increased immunisation and decline in IMR are culmination concerted effort in recent years by various stakeholders, spearheaded by the health department, with targeted as well as holistic policy intervention. Such intervention is most needed for improving the nutritional status to ensure a healthier society.
