Health and Nutrition in India: A Caste and Class Perspective

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Women health status measured in terms of body mass index (BMI less than 18.5) reveals that thinning is more common among socially disadvantaged sub groups compared to forward castes. Pictured here is a woman from a disadvantaged group living in the buffer zone of the Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary.

Abstract: The intersectionality of caste, class and gender shapes multiple dimensions of social life in India. The interplay of these factors has a major effect on the health and nutrition status of children and women of marginalised sections. Moreover, women are exploited by the trilogy of caste, class and patriarchy. This feature underscores that women and children of disadvantaged groups continue to be denied the fruits of general improvement in health indicators brought about by the increase in the country’s economic growth.

The author is  professor, Kurukshetra University, Haryana. rajeshwariku@gmail.com. The article should be cited as Rajeshwari. 2020. Health & Nutrition in India: A Caste and Class Perspective, Geography and You. 20(4-5): 52-57