BHUBANESWAR: Six districts in Odisha have recorded a rise in overweight children despite an overall decline statewide, the National Family Health Survey (2023-24) report has suggested.
As per the report, the prevalence of overweight among children below five years in Odisha has declined significantly, from 3.5 pc in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 2.1 pc in NFHS-6 (2023-24).
However, the latest survey data shows that at least six districts of Khurda, Kalahandi, Nayagarh, Puri, Rayagada and Sundargarh have recorded an increase in the proportion of overweight children, pointing to emerging pockets of childhood obesity in the state.
Among these districts, Khurda has recorded the highest prevalence at 5.2 pc, up from 3.3 pc, followed by Puri at 4.8 pc, up from 3.8 pc; and Nayagarh at 3.3 pc against 2.9 pc earlier. Sundargarh registered 2.9 pc compared to 1.2 pc in NFHS-5, while Rayagada rose to 1.2 pc from 0.6 pc. Kalahandi, once in news for starvation and widespread malnutrition, also witnessed an increase, from 2.1 pc to 2.5 pc.
Overall, 24 districts recorded a decline in the proportion of children under five who are overweight. Dhenkanal recorded the steepest fall, dropping by 4.2 percentage points, from 6.8 pc to 2.6 pc, followed by Gajapati, which declined by 5.5 percentage points, from 6.1 pc to 0.6 pc, and Nabarangapur, where the percentage fell by 4.7 points, from 5 pc to 0.3 pc.
Cuttack registered a decline of 1.7 pc, from 5.6 pc to 3.9 pc, while in Jagatsinghpur the percentage fell by 2.5 pc, from 8.3 pc to 5.8 pc. Other notable declines were recorded in Bargarh, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Balasore, Deogarh, Koraput, Sambalpur and Sonepur.
At the state level, the prevalence declined from 3.5 pc to 2.1 pc, a reduction of 1.4 pc. On the other hand, districtwise, Kendrapara recorded the highest prevalence in the state at 6.4 pc, followed by Jagatsinghpur at 5.8 pc, Khurda 5.2 pc, Puri 4.8 pc and Cuttack 3.9 pc in NFHS-6.
Bargarh and Sambalpur recorded zero prevalence, while Balasore, Deogarh, Balangir, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur also recorded prevalence below 1 pc.
The latest figures also highlighted a clear urban-rural divide in childhood weight. Around 4.4 pc of under five children in urban areas are overweight, compared with 1.8 per cent in rural areas, the NFHS-6 data revealed.