After doing some research on common diseases for Indian women, I am going to examine Anemia and Malnutrition as it affects Indian women more than men. It’s typical among Indian families for the women to prepare the meals, yet only eat what’s left which leads to 60% of women dealing with anemia (Chatterjee). This is caused by domestic violence among women. Many women aren’t given adequate food because the men are trying to emotional abuse them. Due to this abuse, women have a difficult time deciding what types and quantities of food to prepare for her family. Another reason for anemia is a study showing how psychological stress leads to anemia, which is quite common in India women since they’re abused (Ackerson, 2008). Some other causes of malnutrition include poverty, lack of public awareness and high illiteracy rates (Dewan, 2017). While 53% of women are underweight and 40% of girls are underweight, the country is trying to combat issues relating to malnutrition. For example, bajra or ragi, more commonly known as millet is expected to increase the quality of life in women. The government has started a group known as Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) to provide younger girls with millet. The expected result is women satisfying more than 40% of their daily nutritional requirements (Sharda). India might be trying to combat malnutrition and anemia; however, the health issues will continue to arise until all Indian women are aware of their health.
Malnutrition is an important health issue to address among Indian women from a cultural standpoint because it shows how the country has developed over time. Many countries have addressed issues relating to sexism, while these countries aren’t prefect and sexism still occurs, India is far away from being ideal. Women aren’t given the recommended daily caloric intake, unlike men, because they’re identified as producing low economic value. Their culture still has tendencies to degrade and force certain gender roles on to women that aren’t consider valuable such as farming and taking care of the family. However, based on the continuous research I have done for this class, Indian women spend more time working and completing wifely duties than men do at their high economic valued job. According to Chatterjee, women are less likely to obtain healthcare than men for many reasons including they don’t have time to leave the home to care for themselves (Chatterjee). Until the Indian culture starts valuing women on the same level as men, we can expect malnutrition will continue to impact the majority of women.
From a public health perspective, malnutrition and anemia can harm others that aren’t impacted first hand. First, Indian women have a harder time reproducing when they aren’t receiving their daily caloric intake, which is critical to the development of the baby. During pregnancy, women require more medical attention and need to take better care of themselves to lower the chances of health complications. Many pregnancies occur in younger women which increase their chances of becoming ill and restraining family resources. These women and babies are at more risk of dying, and one of the major reasons for having children is to work in the house and farm. With the decrease in workers, the value of the life decreases for the entire family. Since women in low income areas are more at risk of anemia and pregnant earlier on in life they have significantly lower energy levels, which makes it difficult for them to work. However, they’re expected to continue providing for the family resulting in more severe illness which can impact public health. With more women getting sick easier and dysfunctional immune system these diseases can be transferred to their families and the public. The weakened immune system resulting from anemia and malnutrition will impact the overall public health.
Ackerson, et al. “Domestic Violence and Chronic Malnutrition among Women and Children in India.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 26 Mar. 2008, academic.oup.com/aje/article/167/10/1188/232214.
Chatterjee, Meera. “Indian Women, Health, and Productivity.” Google Books, books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=CmidPazCxZsC&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=indian women malnutrition&ots=A6nCC6Jfjy&sig=YVwQ-34GlmqzXlwJQHOe5wzK6Cw#v=onepage&q=indian women malnutrition&f=false.
Dewan, Manju. “Malnutrition in Women.” Studies on Home and Community Science, 1 Sept. 2017, www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09737189.2008.11885247?needAccess=true.
Sharda, Shailvee. “Millets to Help Tackle Malnutrition, Anaemia Cases in Women: Lucknow News – Times of India.” The Times of India, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/millets-to-help-tackle-malnutrition-anaemia-cases-in-women/articleshow/68312848.cms.