Women malnutrition: Rural-Urban disparities still persist in India Puttaraju*, Dr. Uma H. R.** *Assistant professor of Economics, Postgraduate Department of Economics, Maharani's Arts College for Women. Mysuru, Karnataka, India **Professor of Economics and the Director, Sir M.V.P.G.Center, University of Mysore. Ubinakere, Mandya. Karnataka, India Online published on 1 August, 2019. Abstract Background Health of the children of today and mothers who are the guardians of that future, despite rapid economic growth and astonishing development, the health and nutritional status of women in India is alarming. India is typically known for high prevalence of under-nutrition, but now a days, overweight or obesity among women is also common. Objectives of the study were to examine the levels of malnutrition among women across states and union territories in India and to analyze the rural-urban differences in the women malnutrition in India. The present Study has focused all 29 states and 7 union territories at macro level. For the data analysis statistical tools like independent t test is used to examine the rural-urban differences in the prevalence. Results: study found significant variations in the prevalence of malnutrition. There is a significant variation in the prevalence of malnutrition across the state. Obesity is more prevalent in urban areas than rural areas except in West Bengal. There is a significant variation between rural and urban areas. BMI below normal and overweight and obese is statistically significant at 1% (p=0.000) and anemia at 10% (0.076) level. Conclusion Better maternal nutritional status is essential for the overall growth and development of children and unless the mother's nutritional status is improved, the child's nutrition and health status cannot be expected to improve. Several programmes dedicated to improve the nutritional and health status of women need to be revisited and analyzed systematically with urgency. Top |