How to tackle problem of Malnutrition in India?

How to tackle problem of Malnutrition in India? Let's study various steps taken by Indian government to reduce malnutrition and various schemes launched to address and solve the problem of malnutrition in India.

Malnutrition is not the direct cause of death among children under five years of age. Though it can increase morbidity and mortality by reducing resistance to infections. Malnourished children are more vulnerable to any infection than normal children. 

The overall under five mortality rate (number of deaths per thousand live births) has reduced from 74.3 as reported by 3rd National Family Health Survey report released in 2005-06 to 49.7 as 4th National Family Health Survey report released in 2015-16.    

Ministry of Women & Child Development implements following schemes as targeted interventions to address the problem of malnutrition in the country: 

• Anganwadi Services, 
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and 
• Scheme for Adolescent Girls under the Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) .

POSHAN Abhiyan

POSHAN Abhiyaanhas been launched in March 2018 to achieve improvement in nutritional status of: 

• Children from 0-6 years, 
• Adolescent Girls, 
• Pregnant Women and 
• Lactating Mothers 

in a time-bound manner by leveraging technology, convergence and Jan Andolan.

Access to nutritious food:

Under the Anganwadi Services Scheme, supplementary nutrition is provided to children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years in the form of: 

• Take Home Ration to children (6 months to 3 years) and 
• Morning Snacks and 
• Hot Cooked Meal to children (3 – 6 years). 

The scheme is universal and open to all the eligible beneficiaries.

Awareness

Under POSHAN Abhiyaan, comprehensive communication plan & IEC materials have been developed and intensive Mass Media Campaign is conducted through various mass media channels. Besides, during the home visits conducted by AWWs, the beneficiaries are counselled on nutrition related issues.

Diversification of Diet

• Government has also emphasized the importance of dietary diversification through the use of fresh local fruits and vegetables depending on the local food habits.

• In this context, States/UTs have been advised to promote Nutrition Garden/Kitchen Garden in the premises of Anganwadi Centers to help ensure regular supply of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in micronutrients like Iron, Vitamin-C, etc., for inclusion in supplementary nutritionand improve the nutritional status of the beneficiaries.

• States/UTs have been advised to include Millets (nutri-cereals / coarse grains like Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, etc.) in the recipes to enhance the nutritional quality of food provided under Supplementary Nutrition Programme. 

• Further, Take Home Ration (THR) is distributed to children (6 months – 3 years), pregnant women & lactating mothers and severely malnourished children through Anganwadi Centres in the State of Uttarakhand. Local foods like Manduwa, Chaulai, Black gram, Rajma, Soyabean, etc., are encouraged in THR.

Reference:

PIB