Malnutrition in Kids

Context: National Family Health Survey-5 has exposed the negative trend of the rising burden of a young population prone to disease and early death due to malnutrition.

Measures for Curbing Malnutrition

• Investigate loopholes in policies: designed to provide wholesome meals to children such as Integrated Child Development Scheme, National Nutrition Policy, Mid-Day Meal and National Food Security Act.
  • Covid-19 pandemic, which has disrupted the food supply chain, is not the only cause.
• Ensure synergy between various agencies and sectors: to reduce the mismatch in demand and supply of foodgrains and avoid rotting of grains rotting in godowns.
• Diversification of food production: will ensure more nutritious variety apart from preventing soil degradation and water depletion.
  • Agricultural practices concentrating on wheat and rice have impacted consumption of traditional millets, fruits, and vegetables, leading to malnutrition.

Conclusion: India, with poor hunger index (102^nd out of 112 countries) must implement Poshan Abhiyan effectively for malnutrition-free India by 2022 and achieving the UN’s goal of zero hunger by 2030.