Healthy children are the future of the nation, and India being a developing country has many challenges. Malnutrition is one of the biggest challenges for India. Again and again, various national and international surveys underline the quantum of the challenge before India.
Malnutrition has various forms, such as wasting, stunting, obesity and lack of adequate vitamin and minerals. It is the world’s biggest health problem.
Together with various governmental interventions, it is necessary to bring behavioral change to eradicate malnutrition from India. This necessitates educating the families about the need for nutrition.
A quarter of the children display wasting (that is, low weight for height) as well. District-level data show high and very high levels of stunting mainly in central and northern India (more than 30% and 40%, respectively), but less than 20% in almost the entire south.
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and nutrients. The malnutrition addresses 2 broad groups of conditions:
- Undernutrition, which includes wasting (low weight-for-height), stunting (low height-for-age) and underweight (low weight-for-age)
- Micronutrient-related malnutrition, which includes micronutrient deficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals) or micronutrient excess.
- Overweight, obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (such as heart disease. Stroke, diabetes and some concerns)
Indian government launched the National Nutrition Strategy aimed at Kuposhan Mukt Bharat. It intends at bringing nutrition to center-stage of national development agenda.
Currently, there is a lack of real-time measurement of nutritional determinants, which reduces the capacity for targeted action among most vulnerable mothers and children. There is no coverage in tribal areas where people don’t get an adequate amount of food.
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Target – government has set yearly targets for itself, like a 2 percent reduction in stunting and underweight children, or a 3% reduction in anemia ( 7 out of 10 children in India are anemic – anemic is a condition in which blood doesn’t’ have enough healthy red blood cells.), it will need to track progress closely, and consider a yearly survey instead of the six -yearly National Family Health Survey (NFHS).
What is the reason behind the high rate of malnutrition in India?
There is another reason why the problem has persisted. Child nutrition does not disturb as it should it has been the most ignorant problem in India. Over 115 million children in India ------ almost double the population of the UK, or France, or ITALY— huge numbers of populations are not aware of malnutrition.
They are less concerned about children health. They don’t even address that their children are weak and if he or she is weak.
Lack of education is also one of the major reasons behind this problem. There are no awareness campaigns to aware people, especially in rural areas.
Somewhere administration is also least bothered about this issue.
India’s Position in World Hunger Index
Though India has shown improvement in three of the indicators over the comparable reference years. The percentage of undernourished people in the population has dropped from 2000 to 2018. Whereas the child mortality rate has halved, while child stunting has dropped over the same period.
Child wasting is high across south Asia, which creates a critical public health emergency, according to the UN organization. The report notes that wasting rates are highest for infants aged 0 to 5 months.
What food and nutrition security analysis, report says?
India needs to double the yearly rate of fall in stunting cases to achieve its 2022. A large number of Indian children are still facing hunger and malnutrition.
Even after 70 years of independence, India still has hundreds of millions of its poorest and vulnerable to lives of hunger and desperation.
Even after 70 years of independence, India still has hundreds of millions of its poorest and vulnerable to lives of hunger and desperation.
India is a one among the fastest growing economy, although the level of poverty has declined, India has enough food to export and there are several ongoing schemes are working, but still, malnutrition amongst the poorest remains high.
A new analysis by food and nutrition security, which was authored by the Indian government and the United Nations world food program,
Pregnant women who don’t get proper nutrient food and starve always give birth children who are stunted, underweight and unlikely to develop achieve their full human potential.
Maharashtra as one of the six states with high levels of stunting and underweight. The state also has a prevalence of stunting and wasting.
The report shows that the huge part of a society caught in a trap of poverty and malnutrition, which is an endless vulnerability and being passed on from generation to generation
Severe effect of malnutrition
According to the study by Lancet, the effects of malnourishment in the small child not merely physical. A developing brain that is deprived of nutrients does not reach its full mental potential.
Under-nutrition can affect cognitive development by causing direct structural damage to the brain and by impairing infant motor development. This, in turn, affects the child’s ability to learn at school and their mental growth which leads to a lifetime of poverty and lack of opportunity.
Unfortunately, these disadvantaged children are likely to do a poor performance in school and subsequently have low income, high fertility, and provide poor care for their children, thus contributing to the intergenerational transmission of poverty.
Food and malnutrition in the country
Over the last 20 years, total food grain production in India increased from 198 million tonnes to 269 million tonnes. In the food basket, it turns out that in both urban and rural areas, the share of expenditure on cereal substitutes has declined between 1972-73 and 2011-12, from 57% to 25% in rural areas and from 36% to 19% in urban areas.
The energy and protein intake from cereals has decreased in both rural-urban India, largely because of increased consumption of other food items such as milk and dairy products, oil and fat and relatively unhealthy food such as fast food, processed food, and sugary beverages.
The consumption of unhealthy energy and protein sources is much higher in urban areas.
Saddest reality
After so much attention has focused on the government’s aim to turn India into a $5 trillion economy in the next five years. But this declarations only serve obscure a large reality.
There is a large section of society, the poorest two-fifths of the country’s population that is still largely untouched by the modern economy which the rest of the country inhabits. As one part of the country lives in a 21st century economy, enjoying exotic expensive cuisine over apps, another part struggles with the most ancient realities. Finding enough to eat to tide them over till next day.
There is a large section of society, the poorest two-fifths of the country’s population that is still largely untouched by the modern economy which the rest of the country inhabits. As one part of the country lives in a 21st century economy, enjoying exotic expensive cuisine over apps, another part struggles with the most ancient realities. Finding enough to eat to tide them over till next day.
According to an analysis released on 25 June 2019 by India's food and nutrition security, almost one in three Indian children under five years will be still be stunted by 2022.
Child stunting which is a measure of chronic malnutrition - has reduced at a rate of about 1% per year, which is the slowest decline among emerging economies.
As per this slow rate, 31.4% of children will suffer from malnutrition in upcoming years.
According to the analysis - Food grain yields have risen 33% over the last two decade, but are still only half of 2030 target yields.
The signs of unequal access are starkest among children. In states like Bihar (48%) and Uttar Pradesh (46%), almost one in two children are stunted, while it is only one in five children in Kerala and Goa (20% each).
Child stunting which is a measure of chronic malnutrition - has reduced at a rate of about 1% per year, which is the slowest decline among emerging economies.
As per this slow rate, 31.4% of children will suffer from malnutrition in upcoming years.
How is that possible to Achieve the second Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger with this slow speed?
The analysis was prepared by the UN World Food program in collaboration with the statistics and program implementation.
Although Indian farmer is producing more food grains than even before, making the country self- sufficient in this regard. Unfortunately, the consumer's access to rice, wheat, and other cereals has not increased at the same rate.
India is going to surpass China's population by 2027, due to population growth, inequality, food wastage, and losses and exports.
As a result, the average per capita consumption of energy among the poorest 30% of the population is 1811 kilo calories, as much lower than the norms of 2155 kilo calories per day.
As a result, the average per capita consumption of energy among the poorest 30% of the population is 1811 kilo calories, as much lower than the norms of 2155 kilo calories per day.
The signs of unequal access are starkest among children. In states like Bihar (48%) and Uttar Pradesh (46%), almost one in two children are stunted, while it is only one in five children in Kerala and Goa (20% each).
There are high rates of stunting among children in the poorest wealth quintile (51.4%), scheduled Tribes (43.6%) and Scheduled castes (42.5%), and children born to mothers with no education (51%).
What is Malnutrition?
Malnutrition has various forms, such as wasting, stunting, obesity and lack of adequate vitamin and minerals. It is the world’s biggest health problem.
Around 2 billion people suffer from some form of malnutrition. While it impacts on the people of all ages, malnutrition has particularly devastating effects on children, who can suffer permanent cognitive and physical harm.
Some of the important facts about malnutrition in India are listed below:
UNICEF report notes that nearly one in three people in India have at least one form of malnutrition and this will increase to one in two by 2025 going by current trends.
According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4, 2015-16, one in every five Indians (both genders) is too thin with a BMI of less than 18.5, while every fourth male and second female is anemic.
The NFHS-4 highlighted that one in three women consume dark green leafy vegetables, chicken/meat/fish/eggs only once a week while one in two women do not consume fruits even once a week.
The NFHS report also noted that one in five women however, consume aerated drinks weekly, one in 10 women consume fried food daily. Only one in 10 children aged 6-23 months receive an adequate diet.
The Global Nutrition Report stated that India is facing a major malnutrition crisis as it holds almost a third of the world’s burden for stunting.
The Global Nutrition report highlighted that 46.6 million children in India are stunted and India tops the list, followed by Nigeria (13.9 million) and Pakistan (10.7 million).
The Global Nutrition report also noted that India also accounted for 25.5 million children who are wasted, followed by Nigeria (3.4 million) and Indonesia (3.3 million).
Together with various governmental interventions, it is necessary to bring behavioral change to eradicate malnutrition from India. This necessitates educating the families about the need for nutrition.
Around 45% of deaths among children under 5 years of age are linked to undernutrition. These mostly occur in low and middle- income countries. At the same time, in these same countries, rates of childhood overweight and obesity are rising.
The global burden of malnutrition is serious and lasting, for individuals and their families, for communities and for countries. It raises economic, social and medical burden too.
The reality is that a third of the world’s stunted children under five — an estimated 46.6 million who have low height for age — live in India.
A quarter of the children display wasting (that is, low weight for height) as well. District-level data show high and very high levels of stunting mainly in central and northern India (more than 30% and 40%, respectively), but less than 20% in almost the entire south.
The Importance of Political Commitment
This shows the important role played by political commitment, administrative efficiency, literacy and women’s empowerment in ensuring children’s health.
Food and freedom go together, and the availability of one strongly influences access to the other; social institutions can work to improve nutrition and children’s welfare in free societies, and the absence of hunger enables people to develop their capabilities.
Food and freedom go together, and the availability of one strongly influences access to the other; social institutions can work to improve nutrition and children’s welfare in free societies, and the absence of hunger enables people to develop their capabilities.
What exactly the malnutrition is?
- Undernutrition, which includes wasting (low weight-for-height), stunting (low height-for-age) and underweight (low weight-for-age)
- Micronutrient-related malnutrition, which includes micronutrient deficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals) or micronutrient excess.
- Overweight, obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (such as heart disease. Stroke, diabetes and some concerns)
Micronutrient – related malnutrition
Lack in intake of vitamin and minerals often referred to as micronutrients, can also be grouped together. Micronutrients enable the body to produce enzymes, hormones, and other substances that are essential for proper growth and development.
Iodine, vitamin A, and iron are the most important in global health terms; their deficiency represents a major threat to the health and development of populations worldwide, particularly children and pregnant women in low-income countries.
Diet-related non-communicable diseases
Iodine, vitamin A, and iron are the most important in global health terms; their deficiency represents a major threat to the health and development of populations worldwide, particularly children and pregnant women in low-income countries.
Diet-related non-communicable diseases
Diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) include cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke, and often linked with high blood pressure), certain cancers, and diabetes. Unhealthy diets and poor nutrition are among the top risk factors for these diseases globally.
WHO's stand against malnutrition
WHO aims for a world free of all forms of malnutrition, where people achieve health and wellbeing. According to the 2016-2025 nutrition strategy, WHO works with member states and partners towards universal access to effective nutrition interventions and to healthy diets from the sustainable and resilient food system.
WHO uses its power to help set, align and advocate for priorities and adopting policies that move nutrition fulfillment globally. It also develops evidence-informed guidance based on the scientific and ethical framework.
India’s action to fight with malnutrition
Indian government launched the National Nutrition Strategy aimed at Kuposhan Mukt Bharat. It intends at bringing nutrition to center-stage of national development agenda.
NFHS-4 result shows a decline in overall levels of undernutrition
India, 20% of children under five years of age suffer from wasting due to acute undernutrition. The NFHS-4 result shows a decline in overall levels of undernutrition in women, children, and adults.
Currently, there is a lack of real-time measurement of nutritional determinants, which reduces the capacity for targeted action among most vulnerable mothers and children. There is no coverage in tribal areas where people don’t get an adequate amount of food.
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Indian government rolled-out action plan for “September Maah”, to focus on poshan, mobilizing different sectors, developing and standardizing advocacy materials, targeting the service providers, roping in those agencies which have been working in the issue for decades------ be it UNICEF, Tata Trust or others. The idea is to create a “buzz” around Poshan.
What is the reason behind the high rate of malnutrition in India?
There is another reason why the problem has persisted. Child nutrition does not disturb as it should it has been the most ignorant problem in India. Over 115 million children in India ------ almost double the population of the UK, or France, or ITALY— huge numbers of populations are not aware of malnutrition.
They are less concerned about children health. They don’t even address that their children are weak and if he or she is weak.
Lack of education is also one of the major reasons behind this problem. There are no awareness campaigns to aware people, especially in rural areas.
Somewhere administration is also least bothered about this issue.
India’s Position in World Hunger Index
India has been ranked at 103 out of 119 counties in the index, with hunger in the country categorized as “serious”. India's ranking has dropped their place from last year, although the index says its results are not accurately comparable from year to year and instead provides a few reference years for comparable data. The 2018 scores reflect data from 2013-2017.
At least one in five Indian children under the age of five are wasted which means they have extremely low weight for their height, reflecting acute under-nutrition, according to the Global hunger index 2018.
The only country with a high prevalence of child wasting is the war-torn nation of South Sudan, says report.
The only country with a high prevalence of child wasting is the war-torn nation of South Sudan, says report.
Main indicators which are used to calculate hunger levels in the world hunger index
Four main indicators: -
1- The first indicator is undernourishment, which is the share of the population which is undernourished and reflects insufficient caloric intake.
2- child wasting (low weight and height) reflecting acute undernutrition;
3 - child stunting (low height for age), reflecting chronic under-nutrition.
4 – child morality.
There are 4 main indicators used for the calculation of hunger level report, which is a peer-reviewed publication released annually by Welthungerhilfe and concern worldwide.
The international food policy research institute was also involved with the publication until this year.
The international food policy research institute was also involved with the publication until this year.
1- The first indicator is undernourishment, which is the share of the population which is undernourished and reflects insufficient caloric intake.
2- child wasting (low weight and height) reflecting acute undernutrition;
3 - child stunting (low height for age), reflecting chronic under-nutrition.
4 – child morality.
Though India has shown improvement in three of the indicators over the comparable reference years. The percentage of undernourished people in the population has dropped from 2000 to 2018. Whereas the child mortality rate has halved, while child stunting has dropped over the same period.
Child wasting is high across south Asia, which creates a critical public health emergency, according to the UN organization. The report notes that wasting rates are highest for infants aged 0 to 5 months.
A way ahead
The government started addressing malnutrition problem in India. However, there is still a need to act on a large scale where every malnutrition person gets proper treatment. In rural and tribal areas, there is a large population of children who are still lagged to get benefit from the government’s Kuposhan Mukt Abhiyan.
Accurate data is needed from every villages and city of the country. Proper inspection work should be done. Administrative work will play an important key role in this mission. Every Child is the future of the country they deserve a healthy life and adequate nutrients.
Bhim _UPI - 526683880@icici
The government started addressing malnutrition problem in India. However, there is still a need to act on a large scale where every malnutrition person gets proper treatment. In rural and tribal areas, there is a large population of children who are still lagged to get benefit from the government’s Kuposhan Mukt Abhiyan.
Accurate data is needed from every villages and city of the country. Proper inspection work should be done. Administrative work will play an important key role in this mission. Every Child is the future of the country they deserve a healthy life and adequate nutrients.
Bhim _UPI - 526683880@icici
