Anemia is a widespread public health problem associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, especially in pregnant women and young children. It affects both developing and developed countries with major consequences for human health as well as social and economic development. Approximately 50% of the population suffers from "nutritional anemia" as known in countries where meat consumption is low. In India, about 89 million children are anemic with the prevalence of anemia at around 58.5% in children aged 6–59 months. The highest prevalence of anemia has been observed in children less than 5 years. It has a variable impact on physical development and children show poor attentiveness, memory and academic performance. Iron deficiency is one of its most common causes. Besides iron, other nutrients such as vitamins A, E, and C also play a key role in formation and protection of red blood cell (RBC) by stimulating stem cells as well as by activating a number of antioxidant enzymes.
58.5%
Children with
Any Anemia
27.8%
Children with
Mild Anemia
(10.0-10.9 g/dl)
29.2%
Children with
Moderate Anemia
(7.0-9.9 g/dl)
1.6%
Children with
Severe Anemia
(below 7.0 g/dl)
Children with any anemia: %
Rank: out of 36
Children with anemia: %
Rank: out of 36
Rank move(vs any anemia):
How to Read the Graph: The intersection of regions on the x-axis and numbers ‘ranks’ on the y-axis depict the rank of 36 region’s in India for ‘children with any anemia’; as you hover your mouse on these intersection points you can look at the % of children with anemia in that region and its current rank. The drop-down box in the legend allows you to compare ranks & percentage of ‘children with any anemia’ with the three distinct categories – 1) children with mild anemia, 2) children with moderate anemia and 3) children with severe anemia. E.g., For New Delhi, 59.7% children in the age group of 6-59 months have anemia and it has a rank of 19 amongst 36 regions but in terms of children with mild anemia New Delhi fares better and has a little under 1 in 5 such cases with a rank of 4 amongst 36.
Note:
Children definition: Age 6-59 months
Reference: