Background: The concurrent prevalence of undernutrition, overweight and obesity is a creation of a double burden of malnutrition on the populations of several developing countries including India. The anthropometric measure, the Body mass index (BMI) is most widely used indicator because its investigation is inexpensive, non-invasive, and suitable for large-scale epidemiological and clinical investigations. The objectives of the present study are to determine and compare the prevalence of undernutrition, overweight and obesity in Nyishi tribal women of reproductive ages of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India.

Subject and Methods: The present community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among 543 Nyshi tribal women aged 15-44 years residing in rural areas of Kemin and Kakoi Block of Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. The anthropometric measurements of height and weight were collected using the standard procedure. The BMI (weight/height, kg/m2) was calculated and undernutrition (BMI<18.50 kg/m2), overweight (≥BMI 23.00 kg/m2) and obesity (≥BMI 25.00 kg/m2) were determined using the proposed BMI classification for Asia-Pacific population (WHO, 2000).

Results: The overall mean weight, height and BMI observed to be 51.00 ±6.29 kg, 154.73±5.91 cm and 21.30 ±2.44 kg/m2, respectively. The overall prevalence of undernutrition, overweight and obesity observed to be 10.50%, 9.94% and 9.57%, respectively.

Conclusion: The present study indicates the simultaneous existence of the double burden of malnutrition among Nyishi tribal women. An appropriate intervention programme and strategies are necessary to eradicate the prevalence of undernutrition, as well as to reduce the risk related to overweight and obesity prevalent in the population.