bstract
Background: Though overweight and obesity is a major problem in western countries, under-nutrition is still a big threat to women in developing countries
like India.
Objectives: 1. To study the prevalence of underweight among reproductive age women in Tripura. 2. To assess the socio-demographic factors affecting
underweight among the study population.
Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tripura among 2000 women of reproductive age group selected by Cluster Sampling
Method using PPS (Probability Proportionate to size) technique.
Results: The study revealed that 28.10% of the reproductive age women were underweight. Regarding the factors associated with under-nutrition, Multiple
logistic regression analysis showed that women who were between 15-29 years of age were significantly more underweight compared to women between 45 to
49 years of age. Again those women who belonged to scheduled tribe had 32% less chance [OR-0.68 (0.51-0.91)] of having underweight and it was statistically
significant (p value-0.01). Again women who belonged to nuclear family had 22% less chance [OR-0.78 (0.63-0.98)] of having underweight compared to women
who belonged to joint families.
Conclusion: Effective policies, information and health with a special focus on women belonging to young age and joint families. education programs with
nutritional support for women are required to reduce the high burden of underweight among the reproductive age women in the state.