India struggling to cut malnutrition rates: reports

The latest data show that 39 per cent of children under five in India are short for their age (stunted). The two States that had the worst stunting rates in 2005-06 — Uttar Pradesh and Bihar — have made the least progress over the 2005-2014 period, noted the Global Nutrition Report, the first of its kind to be released. The global rate is 24 per cent.

The India Health Report (IHR), 2015, offers a critical analysis of nutrition at the national and State levels. The IHR compared nutrition levels among children in 28 States and Delhi.

Focus of the report

It focussed on the topic of child stunting and malnutrition, given its magnitude and persistence in our country. Even with recent impressive improvements, India’s stunting problem represents the largest loss of human potential in any country in human history.

If the population of stunted children in India were a single country, it would be the ninth largest country in the world. Even more worrisome, the problem of under-nutrition in India now coexists with the problem of over-nutrition and associated non-communicable diseases for a different segment of the population.

The scope of action needs to be broad, but given the tremendous variability in implementation across States on delivery of indicators of nutrition and health programmes, water and sanitation coverage, food security and anti-poverty programmes, there is a clear need to invest in closing delivery gaps.

The report also highlights the critical relationships between indicators of women’s status and nutrition, and this is an absolutely urgent area for action.

Malnutrition reduction

The GNR notes an increase in the number of countries on track to meet global nutrition targets, and encourages countries to establish specific and time-bound targets for malnutrition reduction that are consistent with the new Sustainable Development Goals. National targets should help accelerate progress and promote accountability.

While the GNR points to India’s improved performance in reducing its high burden of malnutrition, both reports conclude that this improvement should be much more rapid.

Current Affairs: 12th December, 2015
Current Affairs: 11th December, 2015
Current Affairs bullet points Round up 1st to 6th December, 2015
Current Affairs Round up November, 2015.

Share with your Friends

Join The Discussion

Comments ( 0 )

  1. Be the first one to review.