Among the union territories in the country, Chandigarh has the highest prevalence of overnutrition in women. At the same time, the city has high prevalence of anaemia among women.
“The prevalence of anaemia is higher among children and women in the union territory of Chandigarh,” stated the Food and Nutrition Security Analysis, India, 2019 report released by the Union Government.
According to the report, “In India, on one side women have anemia and low BMI, and on the other side there is evidence of growing obesity among women as well as men. Among UTs, Chandigarh has the highest prevalence of overnutrition/obesity among women (41.4 percent), followed by Lakshadweep (40.6 percent) and Puducherry (36.7 percent).”
The report stated, “In 2015-16, 58.5 percent children in the age 6 -59 months were anaemic compared to 69.5 percent in 2005-06. Higher levels of anemia are found in several UTs including Chandigarh with 73.1 percent, Dadra and Nagar Haveli (84.6 percent) and Daman & Diu (73.8). In the country, the prevalence of anaemia is highest among children in Haryana (71.7 percent).”
In UTs, higher prevalence of anaemia among women was recorded in Chandigarh with 75.9 percent, Dadra and Nagar Haveli with 79.5 percent.
Elaborating on multiple burden of malnutrition among children aged 0-5 years, the report stated, “In Chandigarh, there are 17.8 percent stunted (height for age) and underweight children, 10.3 percent wasted (weight-for-height) and underweight and 6.1 percent stunted, wasted and underweight. There are13.6 percent (only) stunted children, 6.6 wasted and 3.3 percent underweight in the city.”
The report observed that for several decades, the country was dealing with only one form of malnutrition- undernutrition. However, in the last decade, the double burden which includes both over- and undernutrition, is becoming more prominent and poses a new challenge for India.
Commenting on farm productivity, the report stated, “As per the recent SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) India baseline report (2018) by Niti Aayog, a target has been set for India to achieve yields of 5,018 kg/ hectare for rice, wheat and coarse grains by 2030, compared to the present combined yield of 2,509 kg/ hectare. While no state or Union Territory (UT) in India has achieved this target yet, the union territory of Chandigarh is nearing the targeted productivity with current levels at 4,600 kg/ hectare, followed by yields of 4,297 kg/ hectare in Punjab.”
When it comes to per capita Gross State Domestic Product, Chandigarh has recorded per capita GSDP of Rs 22,957 while Delhi recorded Rs 19,415.
Chandigarh also has maximum number of households with access to drinking water facility, as per the report.
“Access to improved drinking water has become almost universal in Chandigarh with 99.5 percent and the state of Punjab with 99.1 percent,” it stated.
The report has been prepared after the analysis of data from various government sources including National Family Health Surveys (2005-06 and 2015-16), Consumption Expenditure Surveys from National Sample Surveys among others.
