Malnutrition – cause, impact and initiatives

Context

According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Poshan Tracker data reveals that approximately 17% of children aged 0-5 years are underweight, 36% are stunted, and 6% are wasted.

Findings of Poshan Tracker:

• Stunting Rates: Uttar Pradesh (46.36%), Lakshadweep (46.31%), Maharashtra (44.59%), and Madhya Pradesh (41.61%).
• Wasting Rates: Lakshadweep (13.22%), Bihar (9.81%), and Gujarat (9.16%).
• Underweight Rates: Madhya Pradesh (26.21%), Dadra & Nagar Haveli (26.41%), and Daman & Diu (23.25%).
• Lowest Rates in Goa: Stunting (5.84%), wasting (0.85%), and underweight (2.18%).

Poshan Tracker:

• A mobile-based application launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in March 2021.
• It dynamically identifies stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence among children and tracks the delivery of nutrition services.

What is Malnutrition?

Malnutrition refers to imbalances in nutrient intake, covering three broad groups of conditions:

1. Undernutrition: Includes wasting (low weight-for-height), stunting (low height-for-age), underweight (low weight-for-age), and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
2. Micronutrient-related malnutrition: Includes deficiencies or excesses of important vitamins and minerals.
3. Overweight and Obesity: Includes being too heavy for one’s height and related non-communicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers.

Causes of Malnutrition

• Poverty: Limited access to nutritious food due to low income. In 2023, India had 160 million people in extreme poverty.
• Economic and Regional Inequality: Causes disparities in access to healthcare, education, and resources.
• Food Insecurity: In 2023, around 282 million people in 59 countries faced high levels of acute hunger (GRFC).
• Lack of Awareness: Regarding nutrition, breastfeeding, and childcare.
• Poor Sanitation: Increases the risk of infections and diseases, contributing to malnutrition (UNICEF and WHO report).
• Gender Inequality: Discrimination against women and girls, with over 36 million children under 5 years acutely malnourished across 32 countries (GRFC).
• Climate Change: Affects agricultural productivity and food availability.

Impacts of Malnutrition

• Leads to stunting, wasting, and being underweight in children.
• Impairs brain development, affecting learning and cognitive abilities.
• Increases susceptibility to diseases due to a weakened immune system.
• Creates an inter-generational cycle: malnourished mothers tend to have low-birth-weight babies.
• Reduces work capacity and earning potential, impacting the country’s GDP.

Ways to Tackle Malnutrition

• Strengthened Healthcare Services: For early detection and management of malnutrition. The National Health Policy recommends health expenditure of 2.5% of GDP by 2025.
• Targeted Interventions: To address the specific needs of vulnerable groups.
• Food Fortification: Such as the iodization of salt through the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program in 1992, which significantly reduced goitre prevalence.
• Promotion of Locally Nutritious Foods: That are rich in essential nutrients.
• Improved Nutrition Education: About balanced diets and healthy eating habits in vernacular languages.

Government Initiatives

• National Food Security Act, 2013: Provides subsidized food grains to around 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population.
• PM-POSHAN: Provides one hot cooked meal in government and government-aided schools from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan), 2018: Aims for holistic development and adequate nutrition for pregnant women, mothers, and children to achieve a malnutrition-free India by 2022.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayushman Bharat Yojana), 2018: Offers health coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year to over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, 2017: Provides cash incentives to pregnant and lactating women.
• Anganwadi Services: Provide supplementary nutrition, immunization, and health check-ups for children and pregnant women.