Triple burden of malnutrition
Topic: Human Capital: Education, Health and Demographic Dividend · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The triple burden of malnutrition means three problems exist together in the same population:
- undernutrition (stunting, wasting and underweight);
- micronutrient deficiencies, such as a lack of iron (anaemia);
- overweight and obesity.
It matters because one policy cannot fix all three. Giving more calories may reduce underweight but add to obesity if diet quality stays poor.
Example
India shows all three in NFHS-5 (2019-21):
- 35.5% of children under 5 are stunted;
- 57% of women aged 15–49 are anaemic;
- about a quarter of women are overweight.
Responses include POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018), Anaemia Mukt Bharat (2018) and rice fortification in the public distribution system.
Don't confuse with
- Double burden of malnutrition: this covers only undernutrition and overweight. The triple burden adds micronutrient deficiency as a separate third problem.