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Overnutrition and COVID Prevalence in India: Evidence and Implications

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  • Archana Dang
  • Indrani Gupta

Abstract

Overnutrition has emerged as a major public health issue in India. Being overweight or obese lowers immunity and has been linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which in turn is associated with vulnerability and severe illness due to COVID. This paper investigates the association of overnutrition indicators with COVID prevalence and case fatality rates in India. Analysis of data from the nationally representative dataset National Family Health Survey-5 and COVID data shows that overnutrition is significantly associated with NCDs and, therefore, overnutrition indicators are also utilised as a surrogate for NCDs. District-level analysis indicates strong and significant relationships between overnutrition and COVID prevalence and fatality rate. Results underscore the importance of addressing obesity in general for successful NCDs prevention strategies, targeting messages of COVID prevention among obese individuals as well as the development of additional vaccination strategies for COVID that take into account the link between COVID and obesity.

Suggested Citation

  • Archana Dang & Indrani Gupta, 2023. "Overnutrition and COVID Prevalence in India: Evidence and Implications," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 17(1), pages 44-59, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:inddev:v:17:y:2023:i:1:p:44-59
    DOI: 10.1177/09737030231174300
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    COVID; overweight or obesity;

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