Motherhood is often seen as one of the most beautiful life journeys in a woman’s life, which is believed to be filled with joy, happiness with the life of a child. As time grows, motherhood goes through multiple phases of growth and each phas e has its beauty of being a mother. However, there are also certain challenges when it comes to mothers in India, specially health and nutritional challenges. Studies shows that anemia affects around 80% of expecting women in India, which not only impact their health but also lead to intergenerational consequences on children and families.
There is also lack of awareness, especially in the smaller pockets of the country, where people do not realize that health issues with mothers, can also eventually impact their mental health. Lack of proper nutrition, can also lead to depression amongst women. While mental health is mostly connected to the head and heart, lack of certain vitamins, minerals can also be the cause of low mood, disturbing sleeping patterns, feelings of being sad, added with the pressures of being a mother.
In new mothers, there is usually lack of iron, folate & vitamin deficiencies
The postpartum period is one of the most nutritionally demanding phases in a woman’s life. Yet, many new mothers in India enter this phase already malnourished. Iron deficiency and anaemia are the most common symptoms amongst new mothers, making it one of the most concerning nutritional issues in India. More than 50% women in India suffer from iron deficiency, Vitamin B 12 deficiency effect around 53% women, whereas folic acid deficiency affect around 36% women. These kind of deficiencies can lead to mood swings, fatigue and weakness, slow recovery post delivery, increased risk of postpartum depression.
This also happens because of more attention focus being driven to the new born, whereas the new mothers are expected to give love and care to the baby, while their own emotional and nutritional needs are very crucial during this stage of life.
Hidden malnutrition & micronutrient gaps amongst mothers of adolescents
As the children grow, mothers of adolescent kids over take a lot of social and emotional pressures around how the child will perform academically, their future, ensure they are in good company, along with managing household as well as work (in case they are working mothers). This stage of motherhood is often marked by ‘Hidden Hunger’, where women overlook their nutrition. While they might be eating, but they might not be eating right. This is the life stage, when women’s body need more calcium, vitamin and other minerals for consistent bone and muscle health.
Iron deficiency, Vitamin D deficiency, Zinc deficiency are usually very prominent, during this stage of motherhood. Many women also go through perimenopause, where fluctuating hormone levels can further affect nutrient absorption and energy levels. Without adequate nutrition, mood swings, bone loss, and metabolic changes can impact women and lead to long-term health risks
Elderly Mothers (55+): The Crisis of Bone, Vitamin D & Protein Deficiency
This is one of the most crucial phases, where a lot of mothers also go through emotional loneliness, when their children move out for higher studies, jobs, settling abroad, getting married and growing up to lead a life of their own. Women face emotional and identity crisis, which also affects their health. Their situation can aggravate further, if their dietary requirements are not met during this stage. Dietary intake often declines due to reduced appetite, income dependency, or lack of awareness.
One of the most severe issues is Vitamin D deficiency, followed by calcium deficiency, protein deficiency, Vitamin B 12 deficiency. These deficiencies can lead to bone fragility and joint pain; muscle loss and weakness; increased risk of chronic diseases, cognitive health and nerve function issues and even depression in many cases.
Across all stages of motherhood, a common pattern emerges, where women consistently eat last, least, and the least nutritiously. Nutritional deficiency among mothers in India is not a single-stage issue, it is a lifecycle challenge that evolves with age but remains consistently overlooked. Thus, there is a crucial need to take care of their nutrition across all the stages of life, which should include iron, minerals, vitamins, folate, zinc, iodine, magnesium, to support their immunity, hormonal balance and overall vitality.
Addressing this requires a shift from child-centric nutrition to a woman-centric lifecycle approach, ensuring that mothers are not just caregivers, but are themselves cared for, nourished, and supported across every stage of life.
