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Objective: The current study explored changes in trend of anaemia and BMI among currently pregnant nullipara adolescent women against socio-economic determinants in India from 2005 through 2015. The association between anaemia in currently pregnant nullipara adolescent women v. currently pregnant nullipara older women of reproductive age was also explored.Design: We used the 2005 and the 2015 nationally representative Indian Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The outcomes of interest, anaemia and BMI, were measured based on the DHS methodology following WHO standards and indicators. Place of residence, educational attainment and wealth quintiles were used as determinants in the analysis.Setting: India.Participants: In total, 696 adolescent girls from the India 2005 DHS and 3041 adolescent girls from the India 2015 DHS.Results: The 10-year transition from 2005 to 2015 showed differences between the least and most wealthy sections of society, with heaviest gains in anaemia reduction over time among the latter (from 50·0 to < 40·0 %). The odds of anaemia were significantly higher among the adolescent population when compared with adult women both in 2005 and in 2015 (OR = 1·2).Conclusions: Despite an overall improvement in the prevalence of both BMI < 18·5 and anaemia among adolescents nullipara in India, the adjusted risk of anaemia in the latter category was still significantly higher as compared with their adult counterparts. Since the inequalities evidenced during the first round of DHS remained unchanged in 2015, more investments in universal health care are needed in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal stature and body mass indices (BMI) of non-pregnant women (NPW) of child bearing age are relevant to maternal and offspring health. The objective was to compare anthropometric indices of NPW in four rural communities in low- to low-middle income countries (LMIC).Methods: Anthropometry and maternal characteristics/household wealth questionnaires were obtained for NPW enrolled in the Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial. Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was calculated. Z-scores were determined using WHO reference data.Results: A total of 7268 NPW participated in Equateur, DRC (n = 1741); Chimaltenango, Guatemala (n = 1695); North Karnataka, India (n = 1823); and Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan (n = 2009). Mean age was 23 y and mean parity 1.5. Median (P25-P75) height (cm) ranged from 145.5 (142.2-148.9) in Guatemala to 156.0 (152.0-160.0) in DRC. Median weight (kg) ranged from 44.7 (39.9-50.3) in India to 52.7 (46.9-59.8) in Guatemala. Median BMI ranged from 19.4 (17.6-21.9) in India to 24.9 (22.3-28.0) in Guatemala. Percent stunted (<-2SD height for age z-score) ranged from 13.9% in DRC to 80.5% in Guatemala; % underweight (BMI <18.5) ranged from 1.2% in Guatemala to 37.1% in India; % overweight/obese (OW, BMI ≥25.0) ranged from 5.7% in DRC to 49.3% in Guatemala. For all sites, indicators for higher SES and higher age were associated with BMI. Lower SES women were underweight more frequently and higher SES women were OW more frequently at all sites. Younger women tended to be underweight, while older women tended to be OW.Conclusions: Anthropometric data for NPW varied widely among low-income rural populations in four countries located on three different continents. Global comparisons of anthropometric measurements across sites using standard reference data serve to highlight major differences among populations of low-income rural NPW and assist in evaluating the rationale for and the design of optimal intervention trials.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT01883193 (18 June 2013, retrospectively registered). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]