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Punjab women get a fat chance
which could be dangerous
WSN Bureau
The health of a state indicates the health of its
women, or in this case obesity.
Punjab and Delhi rank first and second in the country's obesity
count with 37.5 per cent and 34 per cent respectively.
When it is compared with the national average of 14 per cent or with
states like Bihar (5.3 per cent), Jharkhand (5.6 per cent),
Chhattisgarh (6.7 per cent) and Madhya Pradesh (8.6 per cent), it
easily tells the contrast in the health of women.
The percentage of malnourished women is as high as 43 per cent in
Bihar, 42 per cent in Jharkhand and 40 per cent in Orissa, while in
the Capital and Punjab the record is at 11 per cent. The figures of
only Sikkim are better.
The figures are based on a 2006 study by the International Institute
of Population Studies and compiled by National Institute of Public
Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCD).
Besides these two states, only Kerala has more than 30 per cent
obese women.
"The figures are a clear indication that health of women is better
in healthier states," said an official from the Women and Child
Development Ministry.
Punjab and Delhi also have the country's lowest sex ratio - 820 for
1,000 boys and 865 for 1,000 boys respectively. But, according to
the ministry, it is an indication that if a girl is born the
families take good care of them, even though it may not be as good
for boys.
In the study, the NIPCD has raised a question mark over the
government-run public distribution system, which is sup posed to
provide food at subsidised rates to the poor, but has failed to
deliver.
"The benefits of the programme do not seem to reach about 30 per
cent of the population, so a different approach is required."
The data also gives insight into the child preference of Indian
women. About 38 per cent women with two daughters want another
child, but only 17 per cent with two sons want another child. For
women, with a son as well as daughter, the figure is as low as 11
per cent. (Courtesy Hindustan Times)
24
October,
2007
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