For decades, anemia, a condition where the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen, was seen as a rural health problem in India, which was associated with poor diet, limited healthcare and heavy manual labor in villages. But today, with other risk factors on changing lifestyle, dietary innings and growth in cities, urban women are facing the same challenge rapidly.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) -5, held between 2019 and 2021, 57% of Indian women, aged 15–49, are anemic, while 25% are male in the same age group. This means that one in two women in their breeding years are affected.

Why anemia crisis in cities is increasing

Anemia is often associated with iron deficiency, an important mineral in the body that is necessary to protect the energy from damage, and to transport oxygen throughout the body, while maintaining electrolyte balance.

But the latest studies show that iron is a small part of the problem. New research by Indian Medical Research (ICMR) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) published earlier this year shows that iron deficiency only contributes slightly to its overall spread as other shortcomings, such as folate and vitamin B12, and health factors such as infections, poor absorption, and chronic diseases also play a major role in anemia crisis.

“Despite government complementary programs due to continuous anemia among women, limited access to iron rich foods, and inadequate dietary preferences continue. Cultural practices, persistent pregnancies, and poor hygiene spoil the situation. Awareness and limited healthcare lack program reduces effectiveness,” Dr. Mukta Agarwal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Gajbad.

Urban women are particularly especially weak today because increase in consumption of processed food, busy work programs, and fresh, nutrient -rich food intake.

Even if they can have better access to medical facilities than rural women, lifestyle options can undo that benefit.

Big social picture

We need to understand that anemia is not just a health problem, it is also a sign of deep social inequalities.

Poonam Mutreza, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, says that women in many homes eat the final and minimal eats, have very little control over their health decisions, and faces obstacles in reaching the complement or care.

Poonam Mutreza told indivday.in, “The losses of these gender reach caste, tribal identity and economic margins, not only seen in urban areas, but are highly seen in the rural landscape.”

In other words, whether in a village or in a high-growth apartment, women often prefer the needs of their families on their own health, sometimes on a dangerous cost.

Mutreza says that cooking methods have also changed. “Traditional iron utensils that infect food with trace iron have been replaced by aluminum and stainless steel. A high burden of poor hygiene and infections reduces the body’s ability to absorb iron. We cannot effectively treat anemia without addressing these many, interpretation challenges,” she says.

In addition, the problems of dense food and strength of nutrients are facing the “double burden” of malnutrition to India, where low weight and shortcomings with obesity and dietary diseases in the same community and even in the same community co-existence.

How does anemia affect life and pregnancy

The effects of anemia go far beyond feeling tired. It can cause chronic fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and persistent infection. For working women, it can mean productivity and mental attention. For pregnant women, the risks are more: preterum birth, low birth weight and even maternal death.

“During pregnancy, anemia risk serious complications. The reach of poor nutrition and limited healthcare worsens,” Dr. Aggarwal warned.

The latest domestic consumption expenditure survey (2022–2023) also reveals a worrying tendency: Indian food is spending a small part of his budget, suggesting that even in cities, nutrient -rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and meat are being replaced by seety, processed and convenient options.

What needs to be changed

A mixture of medical, nutrition, and policy-level changes is essential for the effects of anemia in India. To deal with anemia means transferring the cultural approach.

Since anemia can reduce persistent fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and low immunity, making it difficult to manage daily tasks, identifying signs and immediately visiting a medical professional.

In women, it can disrupt work performance, loss concentration and low overall productivity. During pregnancy, anemia increases the risk of preterum births, low birth weight and maternal complications, even death in severe cases.

Leave untreated, it can have a long -term effect on heart health, energy levels and the overall quality of life.

Given the anemia rank in maternal mortality, it should be given an idea during health checkup, understanding signs and early education of shortcomings of iron and other nutrients in schools, colleges and workplaces.

Above all, women should be encouraged, and should be empowered, to keep their health first, the only way to take care of future generations.