Nutritional Problems In India

One of the reasons for the major nutritional problems in India is poverty. Many people do not have enough to eat, which leads to a lack of nutrition and causes major health concerns for the poor.

However, in the last few years, the nutritional health problems in India among the people living in urban areas and who are wealthy have also increased. Although people with money have enough food to eat, their food choices are poor, which causes nutritional problems in India among the urban and rich populations.

There is also a significant influence of the diets prevalent in the West, which has led to the consumption of an unhealthy amount of carbohydrates, fats, and refined sugars that are high in calorie count but do not provide enough nutritional value to the body.

Thus, these are some causes of common nutritional problems in India.

Let us explain the nutritional problems in India.

There are two types of nutritional problems in India:

• Primary problem

This type of nutritional problem is caused because of improper intake of food or an imbalanced diet. Having a balanced diet, taking vitamins, and eating nutritious food can eliminate these deficiencies.

• Secondary problem

These are nutritional deficiencies caused because of underlying medical problems like celiac disease, lactose intolerance, etc. These problems will linger if the underlying medical problem is not treated.

Here is a detailed list of nutritional problems in India:

• Deficiency of Vitamin D

Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, is one of the most important vitamins required by the body for bone health. This vitamin also helps to prevent various types of cancers. Vitamin D helps to keep the phosphate and calcium in a healthy amount in the body and also aids the body in cell functions, nerve signalling, and muscle contraction.

A Vitamin D deficiency can lead to deterioration in the bone as well as muscle health, frequent fractures, and even osteoporosis. It can also lead to major diseases like cancer, hypertension, diabetes, etc. In children, a Vitamin D deficiency can cause a severe disease called rickets.

• Deficiency of Vitamin A

This vitamin is required for cell development, metabolism, and healthy vision. It also helps to keep the urinary tract and stomach lining intact. A deficiency of Vitamin A is one of the major causes of night blindness and loss of vision. Also, a deficiency can lead to problems with the heart, skin, lungs, immune system, and tissues.

• Deficiency of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for the smooth functioning of the body's blood vessels. It also enables the absorption of iron in our body used to make red blood cells. It is also beneficial for gums, teeth, tissue, and skin. Some foods you can eat to get Vitamin C are tomatoes, citrus fruits, potatoes, broccoli, strawberries, etc. A lack of Vitamin C can lead to major issues like weight loss, extreme fatigue, weak connective tissues, and anaemia.

• Deficiency of Vitamin B12

To maintain the health of the nervous system, prevent any mutations to occur in the DNA, and enhance the formation of new red blood cells, this vitamin is essential.

A deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, parasitic infection, atrophic gastritis, and other neurological issues. Some foods you can eat to get vitamin B12 are meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and poultry.

• Deficiency of protein

Protein is also known as the building blocks of our body and is essential for the maintenance of muscle mass. It helps to keep the bones and muscles in our body healthy. It can also have an effect on your hair and nails. A deficiency of proteins can lead to oedema of the abdomen, legs, and hands. It can also cause the healing process to slow down, mood changes, weakness, fatigue, preeclampsia, etc. In small children, a deficiency of protein can lead to Kwashiorkor and Marasmus(malnutrition disorders caused due to lack of proteins).

• Deficiency of iron

Deficiency of iron is one of the most common nutritional health problems in India. Iron is a mineral that is essential for the making of haemoglobin in the body. A lack of iron in the body can cause fatigue, paleness, and anaemia, and might also lead to a shortage of breath in some cases.

• Deficiency of iodine

A deficiency of iodine in the body can cause problems in the functioning of the thyroid gland which leads to issues like hypothyroidism whose symptoms include steep weight gain, dry skin, fatigue, etc.

• Deficiency of folate

Folate is commonly known as vitamin B9. It is crucial for the body as it helps in the synthesis of RNA and DNA. In case it is deficient in a pregnant woman, it might lead to congenital issues in the child. Folate is crucial to make healthy red blood cells in the body. A lack of folate in the body can cause issues like fatigue, mouth sores, weakness, etc.

Some of the symptoms of common nutritional problems in India include

• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Reduction in the appetite
• Poor concentration
• Fatigue
• Slower recovery from various illnesses
• Palpitations
• Lightheadedness
• Depression
• Constipation
• Hair loss
• Enhanced susceptibility to various infections
• Irritability
• Weight loss
• Muscle mass loss

In India, due to various flagship programmes like the green revolution and white revolution, the food production increased manifold. The government has also introduced several schemes to provide food to the people to enhance their nutritional levels and make people healthier. But, still rampant poverty, lack of right food intake, and lifestyle changes are causing major nutritional problems leading to severe illnesses.

With the right health insurance plan, you can get the right medical treatment if you face a medical emergency due to a nutritional problem. Moreover, stress is also a cause of health issues, and with a medical insurance plan, you can stay away from stress as you will have a financial backup in case something goes wrong with your health.

With Tata AIG, you can buy health insurance online quickly. If you are unsure about the right plan, you can also compare the benefits of health insurance plans and choose the one that suits your needs. Moreover, you can use the premium calculator to understand the amount that you need to pay to purchase the medical insurance plan.