Marginalised social groups differentials in nutritional status (BMI) among reproductive-aged women in West Bengal

BACKGROUND: SCs and STs, historically marginalized communities in India, have been subjected to social and economic discrimination for centuries. Despite affirmative action policies, these communities face systemic discrimination and exclusion in various aspects of their lives. Poor health conditions among SC and ST women are caused by insufficient consumption of nutritious food, leading to undernutrition and related health issues. To address gaps in the literature regarding the nutritional status of these women, this study aims to compare the BMI of SC and ST women in West Bengal and investigate the factors affecting their BMI. The study's findings can inform targeted interventions to improve the nutritional status of SC and ST women in West Bengal and reduce disparities in their health outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) to examine the distribution of underweight and non-underweight SC and ST women in West Bengal. The sample included 5,961 non-pregnant reproductive-aged SC women and 1,496 non-pregnant reproductive-aged ST women. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine how background characteristics affect the nutritional status (BMI) of respondents, while a multivariate decomposition analysis was conducted to identify the covariates contributing to the nutritional status difference between SC and ST women. QGIS 2.18.25 software was utilized to map the spatial distribution of underweight and non-underweight SC and ST reproductive-aged women. RESULTS: This study examines the nutritional status and differential background characteristics among SC and ST women in West Bengal, India. Results show that undernutrition affects the ST population more than the SC population, with age, marital status, religion, place of residence, educational status, and wealth quintile being significant factors affecting nutritional status. Food and dietary habits also impact nutritional status, with milk or curd, pulses or beans, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, and fish being associated with lower rates of underweight. Binary logistic regression analysis reveals significant associations between socio-demographic factors and underweight status among SC and ST women. Socio-demographic factors were found to be the major contributors to the gap between SC and ST women, followed by food and dietary factors. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve the nutritional status of marginalized communities like SC and ST women in West Bengal. CONCLUSION: The study highlights a significant population suffering from underweight in West Bengal, with socio-economic factors and dietary habits significantly contributing to the nutritional gap between SC and ST reproductive-aged women. Policy implications suggest targeted interventions to improve access to education and employment opportunities and promote a healthy and balanced diet to reduce the gap. Future studies could explore vulnerability risks of these domains.