Malnutrition in India

 The vicious cycle of malnutrition in India

Today’s India looks forward to a healthy India, which is directly linked to people’s proper nutrition. Proper nutrition can lead to a healthy present and future generation. The people of India account for one of the most powerful as well as the most incredible resource for the country itself considering women and children as the prior groups. But the vicious cycle of not getting proper nutrition is still a concern as half of the population is deprived of what one can call proper nutrition. An undernourished child limits its performance in studies as well as employment opportunities. This whole process in a way creates a barrier in the development process of the country.

With time there have been signs of progress in overcoming the serious issue of malnutrition among women as well as children, but the improvement has been quite humble. This is despite the implementation of various government programs. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) indicated the marginal improvement in different nutrition indicators. The reason for very slow progressing rate is that children in several states are still malnourished & undernourished.

The slow pace of growth

According to the report of NFHS-5, at the national level, child nutrition indices have improved slightly, with stunting falling from 38 percent to 36 percent (stunting is defined as low height-for-age), wasting from 21 percent to 19 percent (wasting is defined as low weight-for-height), and underweight falling from 36 percent to 32 percent.

In all phase-II States/UTs, child nutrition has improved, but the improvement is not considered because drastic improvements in these indicators are improbable in a short period of time. Overweight children have increased from 2.1 percent to 3.4 percent of children. India also has a widespread presence of anaemia.

In all Indian states, the incidence of anaemia in children under the age of five has increased (from 58.6 to 67 percent), women (53.1 to 57 percent), and males (22.7 to 25 percent) (20 percent -40 percent incidence is considered moderate). All states are in the “severe” category, with the



exception of Kerala (39.4%).

These situations remain serious and it is very vital to discuss them in a routine manner as these undernourished conditions of the people in India create a minus point in the overall development of the country as well as its national growth. While these situations need a very prominent discussion for a favorable outcome, there always comes the need for greater investment in the nutrition section regarding the women and children of the country. A need for channeled financial commitments is currently the most important thing through government programs and schemes.

Grass root level initiatives are required

India must look forward to a more result-oriented as well as innovative approach to different nutrition programs.

It is also very important that the parliamentarians shall begin monitoring the needs and awareness of the particular situation, moreover, the raising of awareness and monitoring of the situation must be engaged at the local level to create an engagement with the local people and find solutions according to the kind of challenges they face regarding the problem of malnutrition.

First molding up public opinions and implementing programs from the grass-root level can then be recreated at the district as well as national level. Education plays a vital role for every individual; a basic education will lead to a sense of awareness. Taking initiative at a personal level will bring about a great change in the nation. As the idea of sustainable development revolves around the process of a promising future for the future generation, in the same way, today raising awareness about proper nutrition patterns and regular monitoring of the programs regarding malnutrition can lead to a healthy and nourished future for the children and women of the country.

Shalini Jena