Life Style Behavior Affecting Prevalence of Anemia among Women in EAG States, India

Rakesh Kumar Singh, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

In India, prevalence of anemia among women of age group 15 to 49 years is much higher. Poor eating habits and iron deficiency are established as major causes of anemia, particularly in eight under developed states (known as Empowered Action Group or EAG states) the situation is worst. The present study is based on National Family Health Survey(NFHS-3,2005-06) data. Major insight of the study is that anemia level of women largely differs with the changes in lifestyle variables irrespective of other background characteristics. Thus, the present study has tried to focus on those issues which are responsible for determining the level of anemia among women aged 15 to 49 years and has also tried to provide scientific explanations of statistical analysis of how lifestyle behavior along with the other socio economic background characteristics of women affect the prevalence of anemia in EAG states.