Anemia, Nutritional Factors, and Dietary Patterns among Indian Women of Reproductive Age: A Regional Analysis Using NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 Data

Anemia is a significant public health concern worldwide, affecting people across different age-groups, socioeconomic levels, and geographic regions.In India, the burden is especially severe among women and young children.This disease is characterized by a reduced red blood cell (RBC) count or a lower-than-normal hemoglobin (Hb) concentration.Nutritional deficiencies, particularly of iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, are among the primary causes of anemia.Therefore, identifying common dietary patterns within specific population subgroups and analyzing their association with anemia prevalence is crucial for effective disease control.It is an overview of anemia, including its etiology, nutritional causes, diagnostic methods, prevalence, government initiatives aimed at reducing its burden, and regional dietary variations among women of reproductive age in India.The study focuses on trends observed in data from the National Family Health Surveys (NFHSs), specifically rounds 4 (2015-2016) and 5 (2019-2021).The analysis was conducted over five different states representing different regions of India, chosen at random-Haryana (North), Gujarat (West), Kerala (South), West Bengal (East), and Assam (Northeast), with emphasis on iron-rich food groups based on observations from the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).It aims to explore the association between regional dietary patterns and the prevalence of anemia, highlighting nutrition as a major contributing factor.It also emphasizes the urgent need to enhance awareness of anemia among healthcare professionals and the general population, while simultaneously strengthening evidence-based program interventions such as the Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) initiative, for its effective prevention, control, and management of the disease burden of anemia in our nation.