MALNUTRITION IN INDIA
In India, malnutrition still poses a serious threat to public health and affects a sizable number of the populace, especially mothers and small children. The coexistence of under-nutrition, over-nutrition, and micro-nutrient deficiencies in different socioeconomic strata characterizes this complex problem.
Alarming figures show that under-nutrition is widespread in India, where over 20% of the population is underweight or malnourished, and 44% of children under five are underweight. In rural areas, where 34% of the population consumes more calories than the norm yet still does not receive enough micro-nutrients, this situation is especially severe.
On the other hand, the overnutrition and obesity epidemic has been exacerbated by the consumption of foods high in calories but low in nutrients, particularly in metropolitan areas. Overconsumption of calories by around 30% of urban dwellers and 34% of rural inhabitants increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems. At the moment, India has the highest rate of diabetes and cardiovascular disease cases worldwide.
Millions of people in India, especially children, suffer from micronutrient deficiencies such as inadequate vitamin A, iron deficiency anaemia, and iodine insufficiency. The severity with which these deficiencies may impair neurodevelopmental and economic capacities in the long run emphasises how urgent it is to address malnutrition holistically.
Malnutrition is a complicated issue in India that calls for a multi-sectoral strategy that gives priority to a number of important tactics. First and foremost, improving access to healthcare services is essential for the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases linked to malnutrition. To quickly detect and treat malnutrition, this entails making investments in primary healthcare facilities, educating medical personnel, and putting screening programmes into place.
Effectively combating malnutrition also requires addressing the underlying social determinants of health. Malnutrition is caused by a number of variables, including low income, illiteracy, poor sanitation, and restricted access to clean water. Addressing these underlying issues and fostering an environment that supports improved nutritional outcomes can be accomplished through initiatives to raise living standards, advance gender equality, and increase education.
Encouraging healthy eating habits is another essential part of the fight against malnutrition. This entails encouraging breastfeeding, encouraging the use of nutrient-rich supplementary foods, and educating carers on appropriate feeding practices and nutrition.
Addressing malnutrition also requires ensuring food security. A policy endeavour to reduce hunger and improve nutritional results is the Public Distribution System (PDS), a government programme that provides low-income families with subsidised food grains. Nonetheless, boosting sustainable food production methods, helping smallholder farmers, and raising agricultural output should all be major priorities in the fight for increased food security.
Specialised interventions that focus on the particular nutritional needs of various population groups are also required to alleviate malnutrition, even though already-existing programmes like the PDS are essential in this regard. For instance, to address the unique nutritional needs of young infants, nursing mothers, and pregnant women, tailored interventions may be required. Similar to this, interventions aimed at vulnerable groups like urban slum dwellers and tribal communities may need to be specially designed to address the particular difficulties and obstacles they have in getting access to wholesome food.
In conclusion, combating malnutrition in India necessitates an all-encompassing strategy with several facets, including food security, social development, healthcare, and focused treatments. India can significantly reduce malnutrition and enhance the health and well-being of its people by emphasising access to healthcare services, addressing social determinants of health, encouraging proper feeding behaviours, and guaranteeing food security.
Major causes of Malnutrition in India:
The main factors contributing to malnutrition in India are diverse and include migration, population density, gender inequality, early marriage, changing dietary habits, poverty, lack of access to clean drinking water and sanitation, economic inequality, and climate change. These variables affect both undernutrition and overnutrition by increasing the prevalence of malnutrition in various demographic segments. Certain populations are more likely to have inadequate diets due to economic inequality, and poverty and shifting dietary habits might limit access to nutrient-dense foods. Malnutrition is worsened by unclean water and poor sanitation, which make people more susceptible to infectious diseases. Malnutrition is also made worse by a lack of access to healthcare, which makes infections go untreated. Malnutrition problems are further perpetuated by gender inequality and early marriage. The effects of climate change and a lack of proper nutritional knowledge also make combating malnutrition in India more difficult.
Effects of Malnutrition in India:
India’s population’s health and wellbeing are greatly impacted by malnutrition, especially that of women and children. A UNICEF survey states that 44% of Indian children under the age of five are underweight and 38% have stunted growth. According to statistics from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), 14.5% of Indians are undernourished, and malnutrition is a leading cause of death for children under five in India. India comes in at 102nd place out of 117 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2019 survey, which is shockingly low. The proportion of stunted children in the nation is the 17th highest in the world, while Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh account for the majority of underweight births in India.
Roughly 40% of children from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Other Backward Classes are stunted. In particular, malnutrition in children can have long-term effects on neurodevelopmental and economic capacities.
Many factors contribute to malnutrition in India, such as population density, gender inequality, early marriage, food distribution, dietary patterns, access to clean water and sanitation, climate change, and migration. Malnutrition in India is mostly caused by eating habits, food distribution, and poverty. Approximately 74.1% of Indians are unable to afford nutritious meals, and traditional diets heavy in carbs but deficient in essential nutrients lead to imbalances, particularly in vegetarians, who then suffer from iron, vitamin B12, and protein shortages[1].
Malnutrition can be made worse by infectious diseases that are brought on by inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, and malnutrition can be made worse by infections that go untreated due to a lack of healthcare access. Early marriage, gender inequality, and nutritional education are other factors that contribute to the persistence of malnutrition problems.
A multi-sectoral strategy is needed to combat malnutrition in India. This strategy should focus on boosting access to healthcare services, addressing the underlying social determinants of health, and promoting healthy feeding patterns. The Public Distribution System (PDS) is one of the many programmes the Indian government has implemented to reduce hunger and enhance nutritional results. Nevertheless, specialised interventions that address the unique nutritional needs of various population segments must be implemented in addition to these efforts.
Indian Treatments for Malnutrition India’s multifaceted approach to treating malnutrition focuses on strengthening access to healthcare facilities, encouraging healthy feeding patterns, boosting food security, and tackling the underlying social determinants of health.
The Indian government has implemented a number of targeted programmes and initiatives to combat malnutrition, including:
- POSHAN Abhiyaan, also known as the National Nutrition Mission: Through the provision of targeted interventions and techniques, this flagship programme seeks to enhance nutritional outcomes for children, expectant mothers, and nursing mothers.
- Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS): This programme aims to enhance the nutritional and health status of vulnerable populations, such as women and children under the age of six, and lower rates of illness, malnutrition, and school dropout.
- Public Distribution System (PDS): A large section of the population, particularly in rural regions, benefits from improved food access due to the substantially subsidised food provided through the PDS.
- Midday Meal Programme: This programme ensures that kids get enough nourishment while in school by providing meals for students in government and government-aided schools.
- Increased investment in women and children’s health and nutrition: Greater financial commitment is required to improve the efficacy of nutrition programmes and guarantee long-term results in the areas of women’s and children’s health and nutrition.
- Outcome-oriented approach on nutrition programs: The implementation of an outcome-oriented strategy is crucial in nutrition programmes to ensure the efficient monitoring of needs, interventions, and outcomes at the local level.
- Active interaction with dietary sensitive populations: Direct interaction with nutritionally vulnerable groups: In order to guarantee the provision of crucial nutrition services and treatments, it is imperative to directly interact with vulnerable groups such as the elderly, expectant mothers, people with special needs, and small children.
India can significantly reduce malnutrition and improve the general health and well-being of its population by putting these tactics into practice and concentrating on all-encompassing strategies that target the underlying causes of malnutrition, Source of base information- https://www.who.int/india/health-topics/nutrition