Global estimates prove that India is seriously facing the problem of malnutrition.
Various initiatives have been taken up by government to address the malnutrition.
What is the nutrition accessibility status of Indians?
In 2017, India ranked 100 out of 119 countries on the Global Hunger Index, clickhere to know more.
Malnutrition is often a symptom of underlying problems such as poor maternal health which may lead to low weight at birth, stunting and susceptibility to diseases in childhood.
Among adults, malnutrition directly impacts adult productivity and hampers the cognitive development of children.
Based on the fourth National Family Health Survey (NFHS) (2015- 16), 38% children below 5 years are stunted and 58.4% are anaemic.
54% women between 15 and 49 years to be anaemic while 22.9% have a low maternal body mass index.
What are the measures taken by the government?
Rice fortification -Rice is fortified with iron has been introduced in the mid-day meal scheme in Odisha, to reduce anaemia among primary school students.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) -Programme which provides food, pre-school education, and primary health care to mothers and children.
Public Distribution System (PDS)- It’s to make available diverse, nutritious and micro-nutrient fortified foods to the populations.
Mission Shakti - In Odisha under this scheme women are empowered with the help of SHGs.
Pustikar Divas -Establishing nutrition rehabilitation centres, identifying children suffering from severely-acute malnutrition, and fixing a day for monitoring such children are the objectives of this mission.
Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana– It aims to equip people with quality access to basic amenities and opportunities to help them shape their own destiny under MP’s fund.
Other options- In some areas government is also working on cash transfers supplemented with counselling to ensure behavioural change among people and to generate demand for diverse dietary choices.
