The Global Nutrition Report 2017 has found ‘significant burdens’ of three important forms of malnutrition. More than 22 per cent of adult women are overweight, a rising concern as women are disproportionately affected by the global obesity epidemic. While the country has shown some progress in addressing under-five stunting, it has made no progress or presents worse outcomes in the percentage of reproductive-age women with anaemia, and is off-course in terms of reaching targets for reducing adult obesity and diabetes, the report said. Over 50 per cent of Indian women aged 15-49 are found to be anaemic. Dr Manish Banker, director, Nova IVI Fertility emphasises the need to prevent anaemia in order to reduce the risk of infertility. He says: “Iron deficiency is becoming increasingly common among women today, and the resulting anaemia has major impacts on the health of women who are in the reproductive age. High incidence of anaemia creates severe health hazards, with infertility being one of the problems as low iron levels affect the health of the egg to be fertilised, thereby interfering with women’s ability to get pregnant. Some of the researchers have found that women who take appropriate iron supplements have 50 percent less risk of ovulatory infertility, the inability to produce healthy and viable eggs. Women should also increase the intake of vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamin B12 which are found in citrus fruits, leafy vegetables and milk products. This will make sure that adequate iron is absorbed by the body, and that there are enough nutrients to build healthy red blood cells and enhance fertility.