In 2019-21, solely 10.6% of women in Tamil Nadu consumed darkish green, leafy vegetables every day — the bottom share amongst all of the States. In reality, the bottom shares of women consuming such vegetables are seen within the southern States, besides Karnataka.
However, Tamil Nadu stands out for 3 different causes. First, simply 5 years in the past, the share of women who ate darkish green, leafy vegetables was 59.6% within the State. This means there was a drastic drop of 49% factors since then. The second largest drop is seen in Assam — a decline of 19.8% factors. Second, whereas solely 10.6% of women consumed such vegetables every day, 42.5% of males in Tamil Nadu consumed them every day in 2019-21 — a distinction of 31.9% factors, the very best amongst all of the States thought-about. Among the most important States, Kerala follows with a distinction of round 13% factors, with males consuming extra. Third, whereas the share of males who consumed green vegetables in Tamil Nadu additionally got here down in 2019-21 in comparison with 2015-16, the decline (of 23.4% factors) pales compared to the decline within the share of women (49% factors). Yet, the decline amongst males was the sharpest, together with Assam, when in comparison with different States. Therefore, Tamil Nadu stands out because the State the place the bottom share of women consumed darkish green, leafy vegetables; the share of such women recorded essentially the most drastic drop within the final 5 years; the gender inequality in consumption was the very best amongst all of the States; and the decline amongst males was the sharpest within the State together with Assam.
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These conclusions are based mostly on the National Family Health Surveys 4 and 5. The NFHS says green, leafy vegetables are a wealthy supply of iron, folic acid, vitamin C, carotene, riboflavin, and calcium. Previous surveys stated, “States with the very best ranges of anaemia amongst women are the identical States which have the bottom common consumption of green, leafy vegetables amongst women.” Given the drastic drop in vegetable consumption amongst women in Tamil Nadu in 2019-21, the share of anaemic women within the State might enhance.
The comparability between genders must be learn with warning because the male pattern dimension is far decrease than the quantity of feminine respondents within the NFHS. However, as this distinction in pattern dimension exists throughout all of the States, the above conclusions maintain true.
Chart 1 exhibits the share of women who consumed darkish green, leafy vegetables every day throughout numerous States and areas in 2019-21. Except for Karnataka, the southern States are on the backside of the record, adopted by the western States. While the northern and north-eastern States are middling, the japanese and central States stand out with a excessive share of women consuming such vegetables every day.
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Chart 2 exhibits the change within the share of women who consumed such vegetables every day in 2019-21 in comparison with 2015-16. States to the fitting of the zero mark recorded a rise and vice-versa. With a decline of 49% factors, Tamil Nadu stands out, adopted by Assam. Except for Karnataka, which already had a excessive share, the share elevated in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala among the many southern States.
Chart 3 exhibits the share of males who consumed darkish green, leafy vegetables every day throughout numerous States and areas in 2019-21. There is not any drastic distinction between the southern States and others amongst males, although the south and west lag behind the others, and the east dominates.
Chart 4 exhibits the change within the share of males who consumed such vegetables every day in 2019-21 in comparison with 2015-16. Tamil Nadu and Assam recorded the largest decline.
vignesh.r@thehindu.co.in, rebecca.varghese@thehindu.co.in
Source: National Family and Health Survey (NFHS)-4, NFHS-5
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